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UEFA dismisses Montenegro’s appeal against racism rap

UEFA headquarters

Montenegro will have to play one match behind closed doors after UEFA on Thursday rejected their appeal against punishment for racist abuse directed at black England players during a Euro 2020 qualifier.

European football’s governing body had hit Montenegro with the fan ban last month after Raheem Sterling, Danny Rose and Callum Hudson-Odoi were targeted with monkey chants in Podgorica during a 5-1 win for Gareth Southgate’s side in March.

“The appeal lodged by Football Association of Montenegro has been dismissed and therefore the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) decision of 26 April is confirmed,” UEFA said in a statement.

The ruling means Montenegro will play their Euro 2020 qualifier against Kosovo on June 7 in an empty stadium. They were also fined 20,000 euros ($22,353).

In April defender Rose insisted the punishment dished out to Montenegro by UEFA “was not harsh enough” and said he hoped he would “never have to play there again”.

“I don’t think it is a harsh enough punishment for someone to learn from in the future, just a one-game ban and 20,000 euros — it’s a bit shocking but there is not much I can do now,” Rose said.

(AFP)

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