Montenegro given stadium ban after fans racially abused England players

Just the one game behind closed doors

UEFA have sanctioned Montenegro with a one match stadium ban after their fans racially abused England players during a recent Euro 2020 qualifier. They will be forced to play their next international fixture, against Kosovo, behind closed doors, and will also be made to display a banner displaying UEFA's '#EqualGame' slogan. The Montenegro FA have also been hit with a €20,000 (£17,000) fine. England won the fixture in question 5-1, but the night was tarnished by racist abuse throughout the game targeted at England's black players including Raheem Sterling, Danny Rose and Callum Hudson-Odoi, who was making his first start for the senior side. Sterling scored the final goal of the evening, and celebrated by cupping his ears in the direction of the fans hurling the racist insults. England boss Gareth Southgate described the affair as a "sad evening" and confirmed that he heard racist abuse coming from the stands. In a statement, the FA said: “The FA acknowledges Uefa’s decision to sanction the Football Association of Montenegro. We hope that their next home match being played behind closed doors sends out a message that racism has no place in football or in wider society. “We will continue to work with the relevant authorities in football to ensure that all players are able to enjoy the game in a discrimination-free environment.”