By IANS
London : European football governing body UEFA more than doubled the fine it originally imposed on the Serbian football association following racist chanting at a recent under-21 European championship match against England.
UEFA’s appeals body said in Berne, Switzerland, Thursday it was increasing the fine from 40,000 Swiss Francs ($33,170) to 100,000 Swiss Francs ($82,920). Half the amount will be suspended, pending any further incidents in the next two years, according to the official UEFA website.
The original punishment was handed by UEFA’s control and disciplinary body, which noted racist chanting by Serbian supporters and improper conduct by the home team’s players during their 0-2 loss to England June 17.
UEFA then took the unusual step of appealing against its own disciplinary body, arguing that the fine was insufficient.
Serbian fans were heard making monkey chants at England’s black players leading the referee to stop the game while an announcement was made over the stadium’s public address system.
Trouble then broke out between the players as they left the pitch, with the English football association later claiming there had been further racist abuse from Serbian players.
The English FA were themselves fined 5,000 Swiss Francs ($4,146) over the misconduct of their players.