England play Macedonia tonight in Skopje in their second Euro 2008 qualifier. When England played there in 2003 for the Euro 2004 qualifiers their black players - such as Ashley Cole - were subjected to monkey chants by the Macedonian fans. UEFA has said that if England are subjected to racial abuse again tonight, then they could be awarded an automatic 3-0 victory.
England's black players were also subjected to monkey chants by Spanish fans in Madrid a few years ago in England's 1-0 defeat against Spain. That may have cost Madrid their chance to host the 2012 Olympics, which were evntually awarded to London. Racism has all but been wiped out in British football, but is still rife on the European continent.
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Let's beat racists by winning - Terry
by NEIL ASHTON
6th September 2006
Race game: Terry wants England to hit back by winning in Macedonia
England captain John Terry has urged his team-mates to hit back at any racist abuse in Macedonia tonight in the best possible way — by winning.
The team's last visit to the volatile Gradski Stadium in September 2003 was marred by the sight of home fans burning the flag of St George and several players being subjected to racist taunts.
Terry, who played in that 2-1 victory in which Ashley Cole, Sol Campbell, Emile Heskey and Kieron Dyer were targeted, has told players to keep their cool and make sure they come away with a vital Euro 2008 qualification victory.
Terry said: "We're all professionals and we're here to do a job. The main thing is to get three points and then get home as soon as possible. That would be perfect. I know UEFA have said they will clamp down on racism but, as players, we're here to do a job and get home.
"The last time we were here it was quite a hostile atmosphere. It was just very tough, with the singing and chanting all the way through, but we've had experiences like that before. We're coming here very much aware of it and we know what we're coming into."
Terry's warning was reinforced by Steve McClaren as he prepared for his first away game as England coach.
McClaren, who will restore Rio Ferdinand to the starting line-up alongside Terry, said: "Everybody is aware of the need to kick racism out of society and out of football. Every body is working towards that. Macedonia are, UEFA are and we are. We have to handle these situations and handle them well."
However, UEFA last night admitted they cannot deduct points if trouble flares, as had been suggested.
William Gaillard, UEFA's communications director, insisted racial abuse would not be tolerated, but added: "It has had to be watered down because it was on shaky legal ground. The legal committees of UEFA and FIFA felt an automatic points deduction would not have stood up in a civil court."
McClaren warned that Srecko Katanec's side will give England a real test. They opened their Euro 2008 campaign with a 1-0 win in Estonia and enjoyed two stalemates against Holland in the World Cup qualifiers.
He said: "There are going to be difficult games and this is one of them. The key message is not to under-estimate them.
"Their results since Katanec took over are very good. They have beaten Ecuador, Turkey and Estonia away and they drew with Holland twice. It's away from home and any game is difficult. There is a bit to contend with so it will be quite a test."
Macedonia's former West Bromwich winger Artim Sakiri last night labelled England long-ball merchants.
Sakiri, who scored in his nation's 2-2 draw at Southampton in 2002, claimed McClaren's tactics will be to pump the ball up to striker Peter Crouch.
The midfielder, who is now with Finnish side Inter Turku, said: "When we last played them in Skopje, their winning goal was from a long ball to Emile Heskey and he played it back for Wayne Rooney to score.
"That is the way we expect them to play again with Crouch. We gave them a real scare here last time, but this time I expect a better result."
The Crouch dance: Macedonia will have to be wary of Crouch. England's Peter Crouch (6foot 7inches tall) is currently the world's top striker. He's scored 10 goals in his last 9 games for England, the best statistics in the world for a striker at the moment.
Crouch scored twice against Andorra, who are a worse team than Crouch's local Dog & Duck pub team.
dailymail.co.uk
England's black players were also subjected to monkey chants by Spanish fans in Madrid a few years ago in England's 1-0 defeat against Spain. That may have cost Madrid their chance to host the 2012 Olympics, which were evntually awarded to London. Racism has all but been wiped out in British football, but is still rife on the European continent.
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Let's beat racists by winning - Terry
by NEIL ASHTON
6th September 2006
Race game: Terry wants England to hit back by winning in Macedonia
England captain John Terry has urged his team-mates to hit back at any racist abuse in Macedonia tonight in the best possible way — by winning.
The team's last visit to the volatile Gradski Stadium in September 2003 was marred by the sight of home fans burning the flag of St George and several players being subjected to racist taunts.
Terry, who played in that 2-1 victory in which Ashley Cole, Sol Campbell, Emile Heskey and Kieron Dyer were targeted, has told players to keep their cool and make sure they come away with a vital Euro 2008 qualification victory.
Terry said: "We're all professionals and we're here to do a job. The main thing is to get three points and then get home as soon as possible. That would be perfect. I know UEFA have said they will clamp down on racism but, as players, we're here to do a job and get home.
"The last time we were here it was quite a hostile atmosphere. It was just very tough, with the singing and chanting all the way through, but we've had experiences like that before. We're coming here very much aware of it and we know what we're coming into."
Terry's warning was reinforced by Steve McClaren as he prepared for his first away game as England coach.
McClaren, who will restore Rio Ferdinand to the starting line-up alongside Terry, said: "Everybody is aware of the need to kick racism out of society and out of football. Every body is working towards that. Macedonia are, UEFA are and we are. We have to handle these situations and handle them well."
However, UEFA last night admitted they cannot deduct points if trouble flares, as had been suggested.
William Gaillard, UEFA's communications director, insisted racial abuse would not be tolerated, but added: "It has had to be watered down because it was on shaky legal ground. The legal committees of UEFA and FIFA felt an automatic points deduction would not have stood up in a civil court."
McClaren warned that Srecko Katanec's side will give England a real test. They opened their Euro 2008 campaign with a 1-0 win in Estonia and enjoyed two stalemates against Holland in the World Cup qualifiers.
He said: "There are going to be difficult games and this is one of them. The key message is not to under-estimate them.
"Their results since Katanec took over are very good. They have beaten Ecuador, Turkey and Estonia away and they drew with Holland twice. It's away from home and any game is difficult. There is a bit to contend with so it will be quite a test."
Macedonia's former West Bromwich winger Artim Sakiri last night labelled England long-ball merchants.
Sakiri, who scored in his nation's 2-2 draw at Southampton in 2002, claimed McClaren's tactics will be to pump the ball up to striker Peter Crouch.
The midfielder, who is now with Finnish side Inter Turku, said: "When we last played them in Skopje, their winning goal was from a long ball to Emile Heskey and he played it back for Wayne Rooney to score.
"That is the way we expect them to play again with Crouch. We gave them a real scare here last time, but this time I expect a better result."
The Crouch dance: Macedonia will have to be wary of Crouch. England's Peter Crouch (6foot 7inches tall) is currently the world's top striker. He's scored 10 goals in his last 9 games for England, the best statistics in the world for a striker at the moment.
Crouch scored twice against Andorra, who are a worse team than Crouch's local Dog & Duck pub team.
dailymail.co.uk
