Macedonia FA fined over racist chanting

THE Macedonian football association have been fined €15,890 by UEFA following the racist chanting which marred the Euro 2004 qualifier against England.

European football’s governing body were also unhappy at the ritual burning of an English flag in the stand before the game on September 6.

Emile Heskey was singled out for particular attention but Sol Campbell and Ashley Cole were also the subject of abuse by a significant section of the Skopje crowd.

The FA of Serbia and Montenegro have been given the same penalty after Nathan Blake was given similar treatment when Wales played in Belgrade on August 20, while the Bosnians have also fallen foul of UEFA’s determination to get tough on racism.

They were penalised after incidents in their game against Norway.

Slovakia were fined €39,000 and made to play a match behind closed doors after their fans were guilty of racist chanting in the game against England last October.

Meanwhile, the Italian FA have been fined €37,500 for a “serious lack of security” leading to crowd disturbances during their Euro 2004 qualifier against Wales on September 6 in Milan.