Pearce proud despite new race row
SERBIA U21 0
ENGLAND U21 1
ENGLAND WIN 2-0 ON AGGREGATE
ENGLAND U21 manager Stuart Pearce said that Serbia had been reported to European football’s governing body Uefa because of the alleged racial abuse directed towards his players as they secured qualification for Euro 2013.
Full-back Danny Rose gestured that monkey noises were being made at him just before he was sent off on the stroke of the final whistle as aggressive confrontations followed Connor Wickham’s stoppage-time goal with the victory already assured.
Pearce said: “I think there were one or two racist incidents that came on from the crowd and they have been reported to Uefa, I believe, by ourselves.
“I am very proud of my players and my staff and very proud of the achievement in getting to a fourth tournament in a row.”
In an unconvincing display, England spent the majority of the game fending off pressure before Wickham slotted in to an open goal on the break after Serbia’s goalkeeper Branimir Aleksic had gone up for a late, final attack.