FA to discover fate over trouble in Serbia

The Football Association will today learn its fate when Uefa’s control and disciplinary body meet to the discuss the trouble that erupted during England Under-21s clash with Serbia in October.

The hearing should have been held on 22 November, but was postponed “to allow for further investigations”, Uefa said.

Following the second leg of a 2013 European Championship play-off in Krusevac, which England won 1-0 for a 2-0 aggregate triumph to reach next year’s finals in Israel, ugly scenes flared.

Connor Wickham’s injury-time strike resulted in missiles being thrown on the pitch that was invaded by a number of fans, while players and officials from both sides clashed before leaving the field. There was also alleged racial abuse from the stands as England claimed some of their black players were victims. Full-back Danny Rose, dismissed after the final whistle for kicking the ball away in anger, complained he had been particularly targeted.

Uefa charged the Serbian FA with racist chanting, while also issuing a further charge to them and the FA with failure to control its players. Uefa will be expected to impose stiff penalties against Serbia.

The FA, meanwhile, has confirmed it is waiting to hear whether Under-21 players Steven Caulker and Tom Lees, along with coach Steve Wigley, are to be charged by Serbian police.