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England fans reported over 'racist' chanting aimed at Ferdinand brothers England fans reported over 'racist' chanting aimed at Ferdinand brothers
(about 4 hours later)
England have been reported to Fifa over alleged racist chanting by their own fans towards Rio Ferdinand and his brother Anton during last week's 8-0 victory over San Marino. England have been reported to Fifa after fans allegedly aimed racial abuse at Rio and Anton Ferdinand during last week's 8-0 victory over San Marino.
The Manchester United defender pulled out of the game citing fitness concerns and, according to witnesses, was the subject of a vile song suggesting he and his brother be thrown on a bonfire and burned. The complaint has been made by Football Against Racism in Europe (Fare), a pan-European organisation. It is understood the allegations concern a handful of England supporters who chanted about putting the Ferdinand brothers on a bonfire. Fare admitted that it had no eye-witnesses at the game and that its allegation is based partially on media comments.
The race campaign group Football Against Racism in Europe, headed by Piara Powar, has sent an official complaint to world football's governing body which could see the FA fined or, at worst, forced to play a game behind closed doors. Piara Powar, the executive director, said: "Although we did not have observers at the match we have pulled together evidence sent to us including media comment and have passed that on to Fifa. I think that it's one of those things that is very subtle. We would say racism and other forms of discrimination is not always banana-throwing and monkey chants.
Fare admitted it did not have observers at the game but was supplied with information about the chants by people who were. "The people collating the reports believed it is strong enough to send on to Fifa. From the reports we have seen I personally think there was an undercurrent of race there, and other people have thought that it has been imbued with racist overtones. Whether Fifa think that is strong enough to take action is another question entirely and we accept that it is certainly an unusual report."
A Fare spokeswoman told the Daily Mail: "It refers to the racist abuse Rio Ferdinand received, along with his brother Anton. We don't make the judgment. We send a report to Fifa but in the end it's their decision whether they open proceedings or not. And whether they issue a fine or not." Fare also reported alleged racist or xenophobic incidents at the Croatia versus Serbia and Poland versus Ukraine games.
The Football Association has not made any official comment but is reportedly aware of the songs. English fans also sung about the IRA and "German bombers" during the World Cup qualifier but Fare made it clear the Ferdinand chanting was the reason Fifa had been notified. If Fifa does decide there is a case to answer, the Football Association could face a fine or more serious sanctions. An FA spokesman said the organisation has received no official notification of any complaint.
The allegations came hours after Uefa urged players to make a stand against their own team-mates and supporters if they witness racist incidents. European football's governing body passed a proposal to tackle discrimination that was created by the Professional Football Strategy Council, which is chaired by the Uefa president, Michel Platini.
He said: "We will have some very heavy sanctions against these people and so we are trying to set up a laws, rules and means so that we can address this issue and the national associations can also fight racism."
A Uefa statement said: "Those with most influence [players and coaches] on the perpetrators of racist acts [should] speak out, even if this may mean criticizing their own fans or players."
Uefa also asked that national authorities support action by: "providing the football bodies with the necessary legal means; acting and emphasizing to arrest, prosecute and ban from stadia for significant periods those responsible for racist acts; [and] allowing the exchange of information regarding racist activities between states and football bodies."