UEFA appeals Serbia sanctions

UEFA is to appeal the sanctions imposed on England and Serbia by its own disciplinary body following October's Under-21 game.

The organisation's Control and Disciplinary body imposed an 80,000 euros fine on the Serbian FA and ordered their next Under-21 game to be played behind closed doors as a result of the home supporters' racist behaviour during the stormy meeting in Krusevac. 

A post-match brawl resulted in suspensions for two Serbia coaches and four players, while Thomas Ince was banned for one game and Steven Caulker two for their roles in the melee. 

The leniency of the Serbia penalties drew widespread criticism, as did the decision to punish two England players, and UEFA has now exercised its right to challenge all sanctions. 

A statement read: "As per the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations, the UEFA disciplinary inspector has the right to open disciplinary investigations and to lodge appeals against decisions taken by the Control and Disciplinary Body. 

"Having reviewed the motivated decisions for the sanctions imposed in this specific case, which have also been provided to all parties, the UEFA disciplinary inspector felt it necessary to immediately confirm his intention to appeal." 

The appeal will now be lodged by 8 January - the same deadline for the FA to submit an appeal of its own over the Ince and Caulker suspensions.

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Source: SkySports