Rose slams UEFA’S Montenegro ban
DANNY ROSE last night slammed UEFA’s weak punishment of Montenegro for the racist abuse of England players in last month’s Euro 2020 qualifier in Podgorica.
Montenegro have been ordered to play their next home match behind closed doors and fined £17,250 for other offences during England’s 5-1 win — but Rose, one of the players targeted with vile abuse, wanted a harsher sanction.
‘I am lost for words a little bit but also not surprised,’ said the Tottenham defender, whose side face West Ham today. ‘I said before, countries are fined what they are fined and I compared it to what I may or may not spend on a night out.
‘Some people didn’t agree with me and what not. What I said was true. It is a bit of a shame but this is where we are at now.
‘I don’t think that is a harsh enough punishment for someone to learn from it again in future. And the size of the fine is a bit shocking but there is not much I can do now. We have to move on.’
The fine was for separate charges — setting off fireworks, throwing objects, crowd disturbances and blocking stairways.
Rose added: ‘I wouldn’t want to go back there but if I had to play there, I would play there. It wouldn’t be on my list of destinations to visit. That is not to say the whole country is like that. I only went once but I am mentally scarred a little bit. I wouldn’t be in a rush to go back there.
‘I spoke about what I think but I don’t have any answers. I just know what has happened before is not enough. It is obvious because things are still happening.
‘In the same way I don’t have the answers if something was to happen to me or someone else. I’m not sure walking off the pitch is the answer.’
Kick It Out also reacted strongly, saying: ‘Ever since England’s black players received this shocking abuse we have called for the strongest punishment. This decision falls way short of that. The #EqualGame means nothing if these are the outcomes.’
The FA said in a statement: ‘ We hope that their next home match being played behind closed doors sends out a message that racism has no place in football or in wider society.’
Meanwhile, Harry Kane has been given the all- clear to accelerate his rehabilitation from an ankle injury.
Tottenham’s England striker was told this week he could stop using a protective boot and his left ankle has reacted well to walking unaided.
Work will now begin on strengthening around the joint, a development that represents a huge boost towards Kane’s hopes of playing in a potential Champions League final and for England in the Nations League finals next month.