THERE WERE mixed fortunes for two English footballers who appeared at an appeal hearing in Switzerland on February 15 after originally receiving bans following racist incidents Serbia in October.
European’s governing body Uefa had banned Blackpool’s Tom Ince and Tottenham Hotspur’s Steven Caulker for one and two games respectively after being involved in a post-match brawl against Serbia during their 1-0 European Under-21 play-off qualifier win in Krusevac where black players were subjected to monkey chants from the fans.
Sunderland’s Danny Rose – who was red-carded after the final whistle for kicking the ball into the crowd – was racially abused by home fans, who ran onto the pitch after the final whistle and threw missiles at England’s players.
Tottenham Hotspur defender Caulker, 21, has had his ban rescinded and will instead do a day’s worth of community service.
The 21-year-old Ince, on the other hand, will miss England’s first fixture of the European under-21 Championships in June after his ban was upheld by Uefa’s control and disciplinary panel.
Serbian fitness coach Andreja Milutinović is suspended from all football-related activities for two years after he was originally banned for one year by Uefa in December, while Serbian player Nikola Ninković has been has his suspension increased from two games to three international matches.
Serbia, who were fined £65,000 and ordered to play behind closed doors for one game, must now play an extra game without any supporters.
Uefa were heavily criticised for the leniency of sanctions their in December.
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