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Macedonia supporters under investigation by Uefa for racist chanting
Manchester, Sept 09: UEFA is to investigate racist chanting by Macedonia supporters during the Euro 2004 qualifier against England.
Manchester, Sept 09: UEFA is to investigate racist chanting by Macedonia supporters during the Euro 2004 qualifier against England.
England's black players were targeted by fans in Skopje on Saturday (September 6) during England's 2-1 Group Seven win and the home side could face tough punishment.
Slovakia were ordered to play their home qualifier against Liechtenstein in April behind closed doors after their fans racially abused England players in Bratislava last October.
The English Football Association's director of marketing Paul Barber complained about the team's reception in Skopje, saying the national anthem was jeered and an English flag burnt before kickoff. "Our black players, most notably Sol Campbell, Ashley Cole and Emile Heskey, suffered racial abuse from some sections of the home fans," he said at a press conference.
"This is not the first time our players have suffered racial abuse in this qualifying campaign."
England were fined a record 150,000 Swiss francs ($108,100) in May for racist abuse and crowd trouble at a qualifier against Turkey in Sunderland in April. Barber urged any England fans contemplating travelling to Turkey for the final qualifying tie next month not to make the trip.
"Our message to fans is very simple. Please listen to the advice of the government, the police, UEFA and the FA and stay away from Turkey," Barber said.
A spokesman for UEFA said on Monday the Macedonian case would be dealt with by its disciplinary body, probably at a hearing in early October. UEFA has vowed to clamp down on racism in European soccer.
Bureau Report
Slovakia were ordered to play their home qualifier against Liechtenstein in April behind closed doors after their fans racially abused England players in Bratislava last October.
The English Football Association's director of marketing Paul Barber complained about the team's reception in Skopje, saying the national anthem was jeered and an English flag burnt before kickoff. "Our black players, most notably Sol Campbell, Ashley Cole and Emile Heskey, suffered racial abuse from some sections of the home fans," he said at a press conference.
"This is not the first time our players have suffered racial abuse in this qualifying campaign."
England were fined a record 150,000 Swiss francs ($108,100) in May for racist abuse and crowd trouble at a qualifier against Turkey in Sunderland in April. Barber urged any England fans contemplating travelling to Turkey for the final qualifying tie next month not to make the trip.
"Our message to fans is very simple. Please listen to the advice of the government, the police, UEFA and the FA and stay away from Turkey," Barber said.
A spokesman for UEFA said on Monday the Macedonian case would be dealt with by its disciplinary body, probably at a hearing in early October. UEFA has vowed to clamp down on racism in European soccer.
Bureau Report