Gareth Southgate has called for education to stamp out racism in football as European governing body Uefa opened disciplinary proceedings against Montenegro following abuse aimed at black England players during his side’s 5-1 Euro 2020 qualifier win in Podgorica. — Action Images handout pic via Reuters
“Sanctions are worthless if there is nothing alongside that to help educate people,” said England coach Southgate. “In our country, the same. I’ve said this before, I’m not sitting here just criticising what’s happened tonight because in our country we have the same issue. We’re not free of it.” “What we have to do is make sure our players feel supported,” Southgate told BBC Radio. “They know that the dressing room is there and we’re there as a group of staff for them. We’ll report the incidents through the correct channels. It’s clear that so many people have heard it.”
Uefa said today that disciplinary proceedings had been opened and charges against Montenegro including racist behaviour and crowd disturbances.Sterling tweeted a picture of his goal celebration, saying: “Best way to silence the haters ”.