BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Serbia has suspended two of its under-21 players and two coaches for their involvement in a brawl with England players during a match that triggered allegations of racism.
The Serbian soccer association said in a statement Thursday that Nikola Ninkovic and Ognjen Mudrinski have been banned from playing for a year in all competitions. Goalkeeping coach Srdjan Maksimovic and fitness coach Andrija Milutinovic were suspended for two years.
The statement said, “As we promised, our disciplinary commission members have carried out a swift but full investigation.” It added that the inquiry was independent of a separate European soccer association probe.
England’s under-21 defender Danny Rose has stated he was racially abused during the match on Oct. 16.
Serbia’s FA has denied allegations of racism.
