UEFA presses for tougher racist chant punishment on Serbs

UEFA is to appeal against its own disciplinary body over the fine handed out to the Serbian FA for racist chanting at a recent U-21 European Championship match.

UEFA's Control and Disciplinary Body fined Serbia 24,000 euros for the chanting and improper behaviour of Serbian players during their 2-0 defeat by England at last month's tournament in the Netherlands.

European soccer's governing body will now press for a heftier punishment at an appeals hearing to be held on August 23.

In a statement issued yesterday, UEFA said the appeal centred in particular on the racial abuse directed at one of the English players by Serbian supporters.

UEFA can call for a wide range of sanctions in its appeal, ranging from a larger fine to the suspension of the Serbian FA, including its senior team.

It is more likely that UEFA's disciplinary inspector will call for a probationary suspension that would come into effect should there be any further trouble involving one of Serbia's national teams.