England forward Raheem Sterling celebrates after scoring the fifth goal against Montenegro in a 5-1 win © AFP / Andrej ISAKOVIC
London, United Kingdom, Mar 26 – Gareth Southgate has called for education to stamp out racism in football as European governing body UEFA opened disciplinary proceedings against Montenegro following abuse aimed at black England players during his side’s 5-1 Euro 2020 qualifier win in Podgorica.
Raheem Sterling celebrated the fifth goal on Monday by cupping his ears towards the home fans as a sign of defiance, while Callum Hudson-Odoi said he and Danny Rose heard monkey noises aimed at them.
“Sanctions are worthless if there is nothing alongside that to help educate people,” said England coach Southgate.
“My kids don’t think for one minute about where people are born, what language they speak, what colour they are.
“There’s an innocence about young people that is only influenced by older people. So we have to make sure that the education is right for everybody.
“In our country, (it’s) the same. I’ve said this before, I’m not sitting here just criticising what’s happened tonight because in our country we have the same issue. We’re not free of it.”
Montenegro’s Sport Minister Nikola Janovic “strongly condemned” the incident.
“If a group of individuals really sent inappropriate messages, on behalf of the government and ministry of sport I strongly condemn it and send a message that in Montenegro there will not be nor could be justification or understanding for that,” Janovic said in a statement.
England manager Gareth Southgate © AFP / Andrej ISAKOVIC
Sterling’s goal capped a fine performance in which Ross Barkley struck twice and Michael Keane and Harry Kane also scored as England overcame the hosts’ early opener to seal an impressive victory.
England coach Southgate said the racist chanting had marred the win, which leaves England in charge of Group A following two big wins.
Sterling tweeted a picture of his goal celebration, saying: “Best way to silence the haters (and yeah I mean racists)”.
“It’s 2019 now, I keep saying it. It’s a shame to see this going on and we can only bring awareness to the situation,” he told Sky Sports.
“It’s now time for the people in charge to put a real stamp on it because you can fine someone, but what is that going to do?”
– Closure threat –
UEFA announced on Tuesday that disciplinary proceedings had been opened, with charges against Montenegro including racist behaviour and crowd disturbances.
The case will be dealt with on May 16.
The Football Association called the abuse “unacceptable at any level” and said it would assist UEFA’s investigation.
“On Monday evening, England players were subjected to abhorrent racist chanting while playing in a UEFA EURO 2020 qualifier in Montenegro,” said an FA spokesman.
“This is unacceptable at any level of the game and we welcome UEFA’s decision today to take disciplinary action.
“Our immediate focus is on supporting UEFA with their investigation and the players and staff involved.”
UEFA regulations state that if supporters engage in racist behaviour then “the member association or club responsible is punished with a minimum of a partial stadium closure”.
Article 14 also states that additional sanctions can be imposed depending on the situation, while “disciplinary measures may be combined with specific directives aimed at tackling such conduct”.
Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) praised the England players for their reaction in a match it said it had designated as “high risk” prior to it taking place, and called for heavy sanctions.
“We commend the reaction of the England players involved. No human being should have to face abuse and vilification for their race or identity, something that many Montenegrins will understand from the divisive and bloody recent history of the Balkans,” FARE said in a statement.
Kick It Out campaigner Troy Townsend said the incidents showed UEFA had “failed the game” in its handling of racist abuse.
British Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton tweeted: “Congrats to @England on their 5-1 win against Montenegro last night, you’re doing us all proud. What you faced with the chants was despicable. Completely unacceptable, no room for this behaviour in any sport. #loveoverhate #silencethehaters.”
