Montenegro face racist abuse charges after Danny Rose targeted in England game
England teammate Raheem Sterling posts a photo of his goal celebration on social media tells "racists" to "get some education".
Tuesday 26 March 2019 17:32, UK
UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against Montenegro after racist abuse was directed at England defender Danny Rose.
The charges also include crowd disturbances, throwing objects, setting off fireworks and blocked stairways.
FIFA has welcomed the action, calling the abuse "abhorrent racist chanting" and saying it was "unacceptable at any level of the game".
England manager Gareth Southgate said he heard the abuse during the team's 5-1 win over Montenegro.
Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling, 24, reacted to the chants directed at his England teammate by making a gesture with his hands and ears towards the Montenegro fans after he scored.
Monkey chants were aimed at 28-year-old Rose, who plays for Tottenham Hotspur, towards the end of the game after a late challenge.
Soon after the Euro 2020 qualification game, Sterling posted a photo of himself celebrating his goal on Instagram with the caption: "Best way to silence the haters (yeah I mean racists) 馃檳馃槝 #2019 #getsomeeducation."
Southgate told ITV Football: "I definitely heard abuse at Danny Rose when he got booked at the end of the game, there's no doubt in my mind that happened and we'll make sure that that's reported officially - it's not acceptable."
When asked if Sterling was racially abused too, the England manager replied: "I'm not sure yet, I had a quick chat with Danny because I heard what had happened there. I've not had a chance to speak with Raheem yet but whatever has happened we will report."
Speaking after the match, Sterling told ITV Sport: "Personally I didn't hear anything today but my teammates said they heard it from the dugout...
"It's 2019 now, it's getting a bit silly."
He added: "There's got to be something that can completely stop this.
"Players are playing, it's a football match, people are getting emotional but to then be put down by your skin colour is completely wrong.
"It's time that there was a stance. UEFA needs to do something that's going to make these people think and not do it again."
Chelsea forward Callum Hudson-Odoi also reported hearing racist chants in a post-match interview before calling for UEFA to take action.
The 18-year-old told beIN Sports: "I don't think discrimination should be anywhere, I think we're equal. We have to play a fair game and enjoy the moment but when you're hearing stuff like that from the fans, it's not right, it's unacceptable.
"When I went over there, me and Rosey [Danny Rose] heard it - monkey stuff - we just have to keep our heads, keep a strong mentality."
He added: "In football you're always going to get stuff like that, people are always going to be rude to you or say stuff you don't want to hear and it's part of football and sometimes you've got to block it out of your head and just keep going with the game."
Monday night's win follows a 5-0 victory over the Czech Republic on Friday.