Ceferin calls racist abuse of England players in Montenegro ‘a disaster’

Several England players – including Raheem Sterling, Danny Rose and Callum Hudson-Odoi – were the target of racist abuse during England’s 5-1 Euro 2020 qualifying victory.

UEFA has subsequently opened proceedings against Montenegro, including a charge of racist behaviour.

“It is a disaster,” Ceferin told reporters at the European Club Association’s general assembly in Amsterdam.

“I cannot say anymore because it is now a matter for our disciplinary committee, but I cannot believe these people still exist.”

The PFA’s deputy chief executive and FIFPro European president Bobby Barnes is also in Amsterdam, and backed Ceferin to tackle the issue after speaking to him on Tuesday morning.

“Aleksander Ceferin has expressed his equal frustration with myself that racism had raised its ugly head again,” Barnes said.

“Aleksander reiterated his commitment to dealing with this stain on our game and to taking strong action once the evidence has been properly examined.

“I know from working with him directly on various incidents in the recent past that he has exerted his influence to ensure action has been taken over racist incidents such as this, I firmly believe he intends to tackle this issue.”

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 said the case would be heard by its Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body on May 16, prior to the next round of qualifying fixtures in June. Montenegro’s next match will also be at home when they face Kosovo on June 7.

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”.

Prior to the announcement of the charges, anti-racism campaigners and politicians demanded UEFA change its approach towards racism, saying Monday’s incidents showed the current regulations were not working.

Kick It Out campaigner Troy Townsend said UEFA had “failed the game” in its handling of racist abuse.

Asked for his reaction to the abuse, Townsend told Sky Sports News: “Outrage, because in this day and age we’ve had the opportunity to deal with this kind of stuff, we’ve had the opportunity to put some strong messages out about racism and UEFA have failed the game again.”

Townsend said he expected UEFA to issue another fine but for nothing to truly change.

“I’d like them to take the strongest possible action,” he said.

“I’d like them to stop all the gimmicky stuff now and really come down hard on these nations who are still putting our black players under this kind of pressure and I’d like them to be able to come out and stand in front of football and give us the reasons why they are making the decisions they’re making…

“What will happen? A fine, as normal. The fine which will probably amount to nothing to be honest.

“Will they stadium ban this time? They might close a section of the stadium but I don’t think anyone can second guess what UEFA are going to do on this.”

Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) said it had designated the match as “high risk” prior to it taking place, and called for UEFA to act decisively.

“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.

“We hope that UEFA will act decisively, the sanctions that could be applied for an offence of this kind range from a partial stadium closure to full stadium closure.”

The statement added: “The challenge of tackling racism and other forms of discrimination in European football however remains an ongoing issue. The societal change and education that is the ultimate solution is slow to take place.

“Even in the countries of Western Europe where there has been investment and focus on these issues discrimination remains a stain on football.”

FARE is due to hold a two-day conference with UEFA and the Football Association on how to tackle the problem at Wembley next week.

The racist abuse aimed at England’s players was “disgusting and completely unacceptable”, Prime Minister Theresa May’s official spokesman said as he called for Uefa to take “strong and swift action”.

Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn called the abuse “disgusting” in a tweet, while his deputy Tom Watson was critical of UEFA.

“The appalling racial abuse directed at England footballers in Montenegro cannot be allowed to continue,” Watson wrote in a tweet.

“For far too long UEFA has obfuscated its responsibilities. Officials must heed the significant words of Raheem Sterling and impose a full stadium ban.”

Separately on Monday, UEFA announced it had appointed an ethics and disciplinary inspector to evaluate Chelsea’s complaint regarding the alleged racist abuse directed at Hudson-Odoi during their 5-0 win over Dynamo Kiev in the Ukrainian capital on March 14.