UEFA to investigate reports of racism

European soccer's governing body UEFA will investigate reports of racist chanting and a fight in the players tunnel after England's 2-0 win over Serbia in the European U-21 championship on Sunday.

UEFA spokesman Rob Faulkner told Reuters that the incidents during and after the match in Nijmegen, Netherlands would be considered by UEFA's disciplinary committee at its next regular meeting on July 12.

Neither team faces sanctions during the tournament as it winds up on Saturday. Both England and Serbia qualified for the semi-finals.

England's FA said yesterday it had made a formal complaint to UEFA over the racist abuse directed at their players from Serbian fans and at least one member of the Serbian team in the tunnel after the match.

"We take racism and other forms of discriminatory behaviour extremely seriously and have asked UEFA to investigate these incidents," an FA spokesman said.

"We will, of course, co-operate fully with any investigation."

The FA face questions over the incident involving their players after the match, while Serbia face charges over the behaviour of their players as well as the conduct of their supporters.

A message was issued over the public address system during the first half of the game after the referee brought the racist chanting to the attention of stadium officials.

Reports in the British press said Serbian fans taunted England's Nedum Onuoha and Justin Hoyte was targeted in the tunnel by opposition players.

England U-21 coach Stuart Pearce backed Onuoha to cope with the abuse.

"He's an outstanding young man, not just as a footballer," said Pearce, who coached Onuoha at Manchester City.

"I've got that first-hand knowledge of him and he comes from a great family. He's a credit to the English nation.

"He's such a strong character, that's the case with most of our players. I told them that is what is going to happen at international level.

"It's difficult to keep restraint under provocation. You've got to learn that in football."

The game was also overshadowed by England's controversial second goal.

Needing a win to finish second in Group B, Leroy Lita headed England in front after five minutes.

Matt Derbyshire sealed the win 13 minutes from time, sparking a mass brawl as the Blackburn forward was played onside by Serbia defender Slobodan Raykovic, who was down with an ankle injury.

Serbia coach Miroslav Djukic criticised his country's fans but also hit out at England for the way in which they won the game.

He stated: "Racism is definitely a bad thing. I did not see or hear what was happening.

"In my career I played against players from all nations and these things are bad but I also have never seen a player who is hurt and the opposition carry on to score a goal.

"It was unfair from England players, who are meant to be gentlemen. Everything started from the second goal when they did not have respect for a player who was on the floor."