Montenegro vs England: Hosts charged with racist behaviour during Euro 2020 qualifier

Uefa has opened disciplinary proceedings against Montenegro, including a charge of racist behaviour, following England's 5-1 Euro 2020 qualifying victory in Podgorica on Monday night.

Several England players – including Raheem Sterling, Danny Rose and Callum Hudson-Odoi – were the target of racist abuse during the match.

Montenegro also face charges relating to crowd disturbances, the throwing of objects, setting off of fireworks and the blocking of stairways at the Gradski Stadion, Uefa has announced.

The case will be dealt with by the Uefa Control, Ethics and Disciplinary on 16 May.

Evidence from the Fare network will feed into the case which could lead to a partial or full stadium closure for the team’s next Euro 2020 qualifier in June against Kosovo.

“We had an observer present who picked up evidence of racial abuse,” Fare said in a statement on Tuesday. “Our monitoring team have been compiling the evidence we have before presenting it to Uefa.

“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.”

In one incident, England winger Sterling cupped his ears after scoring England’s fifth goal and Montenegro fans responded with jeers before an object — reportedly a lighter — was thrown onto the field. It was picked up by Hudson-Odoi.

Montenegro coach Ljubisa Tumbakovic said he did not hear any of the racism but Hudson-Odoi, in a post-match interview, mimicked the monkey chants he and Rose heard.

Gareth Southgate, meanwhile, condemned the abuse speaking after the match.

“When Danny Rose was booked at the end of the game I definitely heard racist chanting behind me,” Southgate told Sky Sports News.

“It’s completely unacceptable. The most important thing is that our players feel supported by us and we’ll make sure it’s reported and we are there for them and anything they want us to support them with, that we are able to do.

Southgate said Rose would receive close support from England staff and was at a loss to understand why such behaviour was still prevalent in the game.

“It’s not for me to discuss how he is, but he knows that we are here to support him and he knows that I’ve talked to him about this sort of situation before,” he added.

“We’ve just got to hope that it’s dealt with in the right way because we’ll make sure we do our part, but it needs to be followed up correctly as well.

“It’s difficult for me to know what the sanctions should be. It’s not acceptable that it’s still in the game, but it’s not acceptable that it’s still in society.

“We’re away from home, but I’ve said before, we’re not clear of this issue at home and we’ve got to make sure our players are supported, we’ve got to put our own house in order at home and we’ll push for the right sanctions here.”