Serbians banned after 'scuffles'

Belgrade - Two Serbian under-21 internationals and two members of the coaching staff were banned for up to two years for their involvement in scuffles at last week's match with England, the Serbian Football Federation (FSS) said on Thursday.

Midfielder Nikola Ninkovic and striker Ognjen Mudrinski are banned from playing for a year, while assistant coaches Srdjan Maksimovic and Andreja Milutinovic were each given two-year bans from working with any national squad.

The four were punished for "breaking basic principles of fair play" at the October 16 match in Krusevac, the FSS said.

"Such or similar behaviour will not be tolerated in the future," Savo Milosevic, manager of all national teams, was quoted as saying in a statement.

The FSS neither detailed their misdemeanours nor make any reference to racist abuse claims by England.

In chaotic scenes, England defender Danny Rose was sent off for kicking the ball away in response to what he said was monkey chanting and physical provocation, as scuffles broke out between players, coaches and supporters at the end of the match.

The FSS has denied there was any racism at all and branded the England player's behaviour "vulgar".

England won the match 2-0 on aggregate with an injury-time goal to secure qualification for next year's European championships.