
Montenegro have been ordered to play their next home match behind closed doors following the racist abuse of England players by some of their supporters in a Euro 2020 qualifier in Podgorica in March.
England won 5-1 but the match was overshadowed by racist chanting from some home fans directed at several England players, including Danny Rose.
Montenegro will also have to display a Uefa banner with the wording ‘#EqualGame’ at their next game and have been fined 20,000 euros (£17,253).
That fine was for different charges of setting off fireworks, throwing objects, crowd disturbances and blocking stairways.
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Rose later said he “can’t wait to see the back of football” and said he was frustrated at the lack of action taken against fans’ racism.
The left-back said: “When countries get fined what I probably spend on a night out in London, what do you expect?”
Raheem Sterling scored England’s fifth goal in the 81st minute and celebrated by putting his hands to his ears, a gesture he later said was a response to the racist abuse, which was also aimed at Callum Hudson-Odoi.
In injury time Rose was booked following a strong challenge on Aleksandar Boljevic, with more racist chants aimed at the 28-year-old.
Montenegro coach Ljubisa Tumbakovic said he did not “hear or notice any” racist abuse, but England manager Gareth Southgate said “there’s no doubt in my mind it happened – it’s unacceptable”.
The minimum punishment from Uefa for an incident of racism is a partial stadium closure, while a second offence results in one match being played behind closed doors and a fine of 50,000 euros (£42,500).
Montenegro’s next home match is a Euro 2020 qualifier against Kosovo on 7 June.
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