Lausanne: England defender Danny Rose said he was ‘shocked’ that Montenegro were only told to play just one game behind closed doors as punishment for racist chants, insisting the sanction ‘was not harsh enough’.
UEFA ordered Montenegro to play their next home Euro 2020 qualifier in an empty stadium after Raheem Sterling, Rose and Callum Hudson-Odoi were targeted by racist abuse by home supporters during England’s 5-1 win in Podgorica in March.
Sterling celebrated the visitors’ fifth goal by cupping his ears towards the crowd after a section of supporters were heard directing monkey chants towards England’s black players.
“I don’t think it is a harsh enough punishment for someone to learn from in the future, just a one-game ban and 20,000 euros — it’s a bit shocking but there is not much I can do now,” Rose said.
“I just have to hope that I never have to play there again, it’s a shame that this where we are now and I just have to get on with it,” he added. “I wouldn’t want to go back there, but obviously if I have to play there I will play. It’s not on my list of destinations to visit.”
The UEFA ruling means Montenegro will play their match against Kosovo June 7 in an empty stadium.
England’s Football Association welcomed UEFA’s decision to sanction Montenegro and said it hopes the punishment ‘sends out a message that racism has no place in football or in wider society’.
European football’s governing body also fined the Montenegrin FA 20,000 euros (USD 22,300) for other charges including crowd disturbances, setting off fireworks, throwing objects and blocked stairways.
AFP