The English FA is to report the Ukraine to FIFA after last night's 2010 World Cup qualifier between England and the Ukraine was delayed several times after Ukraine fans threw flares onto the pitch.
The incident further highlights how fans in English stadiums are more "civilised" than those in Continental European stadiums. In England, flares are noticeable for their absence, and standing is banned, unlike in the rest of Europe. In England, unlike in Europe where it's mainly young men, watching the game is more of a family experience.
England lost the match 1-0 - but the result didn't matter too much for them as England have already qualified for the World Cup, so the game for them was meaningless. The Ukraine, though, wanted to win to keep alive their hopes of finishing second and reaching the play-offs. They now move above Croatia in the table into second place and, if they beat minnows Andorra on Wednesday, as they surely will, they'll qualify for the play-offs at Croatia's expense (England will be happy. Croatia are the team who beat England 3-2 in November 2007 to end England's hopes of qualifying for Euro 2008 ).
Last night, during the match in Dnipropetrovsk, where the USSR used to build nuclear missiles, the Slovenian referee was twice forced to abandon play so flares could be removed from the pitch.
And the incident could bring Ukraine's hosting of Euro 2012 into doubt. All the games could end up being played in Poland, who are currently the co-hosts.
England coach Fabio Capello blamed the stoppages during the match on England's defeat, saying that such stoppages can affect a team. But England weren't helped by goalkeeper Robert Green being red carded after just 15 minutes for a foul in the penalty area. Capello decided to take of Aaron Lennon to bring on substitute goalkeeper David James. Former Chelsea strike Andriy Shevchenko then missed the resultant penalty kick.
Amazingly, that was the first time ever that an England goalkeeper has been sent off, and only the 12th red card in history for an England player. In the European section of the 2010 World Cup qualifiers, England are the second-best behaved team, with only Germany receiving less bookings.
FA to launch complaint over flares thrown during England's defeat to Ukraine
Sundy 11th October 2009
By Mirror Football
2010 World Cup Qualifier
At the Dnipro Arena. Att: 31,000
VS
Ukraine 1-0 England
Nazarenko 29
Ukraine: Pyatov, Kucher, Kobin, Rakitskiy, Khacheridi, Gai, Tymoschuk, Nazarenko (Yarmolenko 67), Rotan, Shevchenko (Gusev 90), Milevskiy.
Subs Not Used: Shovkovskiy, Voronin, Seleznyov, Shevchuk, Mykhalyk.
England: Green, Johnson, Ferdinand, Terry, Ashley Cole, Lennon (James 15), Carrick, Lampard, Gerrard (Milner 46), Rooney, Heskey (Carlton Cole 72).
Subs Not Used: Bridge, Upson, Barry, Agbonlahor.
The match was twice delayed after Ukraine fans threw lit flares onto the pitch. Capello partly blamed the incidents on England's first defeat of the qualifying campaign.
England's Rob Green looks on as two flares burn behind him on the pitch
The Football Association will make a formal complaint about the flares that were thrown onto the pitch during England's defeat in the Ukraine.
Referee Damir Skomina was twice forced to stop play, on the first occasion for two minutes, for the flares to be extinguished and cleared out of the England penalty area.
Neither Robert Green or David James, who came on after just 15 minutes following Green's dismissal, were hit or injured.
However, the FA have made it clear they are deeply concerned about the incidents.
"We have spoken with the FIFA delegate and we will be submitting a report with regard to the missiles," said FA director of communications Adrian Bevington.
"We will be following that up with a formal complaint.
"It is not acceptable for any player to come under attack from sustained missile throwing and we will be forwarding that to FIFA in the next week."
Capello was equally unimpressed, especially as he felt the first stoppage cost England valuable momentum.
AC Milan Brazilian goalkeeper Dida hit by a firework during the Champions League quarterfinal second leg match.
In April 2005, AC Milan goalkeeper Dida was hit by a flare that was thrown onto the pitch by rival Inter Milan fans in a European Cup quarter final.
"It happens, although I wish it hadn't because we started well," said the Italian.
"We will have to see what happens. When we came to the stadium I saw the supporters being checked. Clearly they did not check enough."
***********************************************
Ukraine 1-0 England: The Sunday Mirror match report
England's unbeaten World Cup qualifying run came to an end on a night when keeper Robert Green was sent off.
A first-half strike from Sergiy Nazarenko sentenced the Three Lions to their first competitive defeat under Fabio Capello and gave Ukraine a glorious opportunity to join England in South Africa next summer via next month’s play-offs. It was cruel on England – and especially Green.
The West Ham shot-stopper saw a golden opportunity to cement himself as Capello’s No.1 ended in the 13th minute when he conceded a penalty for a foul on Artem Milevskyi after a horrendous slip by Rio Ferdinand.
Former Chelsea flop Andriy Shevchenko missed the spot-kick, hitting the post after David James had replaced Aaron Lennon and taken over in goal. But Ukraine’s victorious night was soured when home fans sent a series of flares on to the pitch early in the game.
Dnipropetrovsk was once a city used by the Soviet Union to build nuclear missiles – and the locals seemed intent on declaring another Cold War when they sent a volley of flares arcing towards Green within a minute of the kick-off.
Play was halted while a series of small fires were extinguished on the pitch.
The evening didn’t get any better for the West Ham keeper. There was an early flurry of attacks from England as Capello looked to improve on a record which had brought victories in all eight of his team’s previous Group Six matches.
Aaron Lennon was first to threaten, smuggling himself clear down the right to send over a cross that was destined for Emile Heskey’s head until Yaroslav Rakytskiy intervened.
Then captain John Terry broke up play on the half-way line, swapped passes with Lennon and curled a cross that was just too strong for Wayne Rooney.
Within seconds, though, Green’s chance of establishing himself as undisputed England’s No.1 came to an abrupt end.
Ferdinand’s woeful control allowed Milevskyi to race clear and the striker’s poor first touch tempted Green into believing he could get there first. He didn’t.
Green plunged towards Milevskyi’s feet and when the Dynamo Kiev forward went tumbling, referee Damir Skomina pointed to the penalty spot.
The Slovenian official then inexplicably appeared to show a red card to Ferdinand before being told by fourth official Darko Ceferin that Green had committed the offence.
The keeper duly departed and after Capello sent on James in place of the unfortunate Lennon, the scene seemed set for former Chelsea misfit Shevchenko to finally show the English what he can do.
Sheva sent James the wrong way, but watched in horror as the ball struck the outside of the post. Cue more fireworks from behind the goal.
But the home side were ahead in the 29th minute when Glen Johnson’s block tackle fell to Nazarenko 25 yards out and his first-time blast flew past James and into the top corner after taking a deflection off the head of Ashley Cole.
Ukraine knew a win would take them above Croatia in the race for second place and a play-off berth, with a final game against whipping boys Andorra to come.
They got lucky when Rooney set up Frank Lampard and the Chelsea midfielder was only inches away from scoring his seventh goal in his last eight England appearances.
England were fortunate moments later, though, when Milevskyi’s long-range blast beat James but shivered the crossbar.
Steven Gerrard was replaced by James Milner at the break but, despite the promptings of Rooney, the home side looked comfortable. It needed a flying save by James to keep England in the contest, the Portsmouth keeper flinging himself high to his right to paw away Rakytskiy’s long-range drive.
Rooney did force Andriy Piatov into a save at the other end, but his curling effort was too close to the keeper.
Lampard wasted a glorious chance when he took on one man too many deep in the Ukraine penalty area and was dispossessed.
But more uncertain defending in front of James presented Shevchenko with another fine chance but he bundled the ball wide from close range. Qualification may have been guaranteed, but England were refusing to relinquish their unbeaten record without a fight.
James excelled again when he blocked Andriy Yarmolenko’s shot with his legs after the Ukraine substitute had broken clear.
Rooney almost rescued England in the final minute when his low drive from 20 yards flashed a fraction wide.
Then, in injury time, Lampard could only direct Rooney’s corner over from close range.
mirror.co.uk
The incident further highlights how fans in English stadiums are more "civilised" than those in Continental European stadiums. In England, flares are noticeable for their absence, and standing is banned, unlike in the rest of Europe. In England, unlike in Europe where it's mainly young men, watching the game is more of a family experience.
England lost the match 1-0 - but the result didn't matter too much for them as England have already qualified for the World Cup, so the game for them was meaningless. The Ukraine, though, wanted to win to keep alive their hopes of finishing second and reaching the play-offs. They now move above Croatia in the table into second place and, if they beat minnows Andorra on Wednesday, as they surely will, they'll qualify for the play-offs at Croatia's expense (England will be happy. Croatia are the team who beat England 3-2 in November 2007 to end England's hopes of qualifying for Euro 2008 ).
Last night, during the match in Dnipropetrovsk, where the USSR used to build nuclear missiles, the Slovenian referee was twice forced to abandon play so flares could be removed from the pitch.
And the incident could bring Ukraine's hosting of Euro 2012 into doubt. All the games could end up being played in Poland, who are currently the co-hosts.
England coach Fabio Capello blamed the stoppages during the match on England's defeat, saying that such stoppages can affect a team. But England weren't helped by goalkeeper Robert Green being red carded after just 15 minutes for a foul in the penalty area. Capello decided to take of Aaron Lennon to bring on substitute goalkeeper David James. Former Chelsea strike Andriy Shevchenko then missed the resultant penalty kick.
Amazingly, that was the first time ever that an England goalkeeper has been sent off, and only the 12th red card in history for an England player. In the European section of the 2010 World Cup qualifiers, England are the second-best behaved team, with only Germany receiving less bookings.
FA to launch complaint over flares thrown during England's defeat to Ukraine
Sundy 11th October 2009
By Mirror Football
2010 World Cup Qualifier
At the Dnipro Arena. Att: 31,000
Ukraine 1-0 England
Nazarenko 29
Ukraine: Pyatov, Kucher, Kobin, Rakitskiy, Khacheridi, Gai, Tymoschuk, Nazarenko (Yarmolenko 67), Rotan, Shevchenko (Gusev 90), Milevskiy.
Subs Not Used: Shovkovskiy, Voronin, Seleznyov, Shevchuk, Mykhalyk.
England: Green, Johnson, Ferdinand, Terry, Ashley Cole, Lennon (James 15), Carrick, Lampard, Gerrard (Milner 46), Rooney, Heskey (Carlton Cole 72).
Subs Not Used: Bridge, Upson, Barry, Agbonlahor.
The match was twice delayed after Ukraine fans threw lit flares onto the pitch. Capello partly blamed the incidents on England's first defeat of the qualifying campaign.
England's Rob Green looks on as two flares burn behind him on the pitch
The Football Association will make a formal complaint about the flares that were thrown onto the pitch during England's defeat in the Ukraine.
Referee Damir Skomina was twice forced to stop play, on the first occasion for two minutes, for the flares to be extinguished and cleared out of the England penalty area.
Neither Robert Green or David James, who came on after just 15 minutes following Green's dismissal, were hit or injured.
However, the FA have made it clear they are deeply concerned about the incidents.
"We have spoken with the FIFA delegate and we will be submitting a report with regard to the missiles," said FA director of communications Adrian Bevington.
"We will be following that up with a formal complaint.
"It is not acceptable for any player to come under attack from sustained missile throwing and we will be forwarding that to FIFA in the next week."
Capello was equally unimpressed, especially as he felt the first stoppage cost England valuable momentum.
AC Milan Brazilian goalkeeper Dida hit by a firework during the Champions League quarterfinal second leg match.
In April 2005, AC Milan goalkeeper Dida was hit by a flare that was thrown onto the pitch by rival Inter Milan fans in a European Cup quarter final.
"It happens, although I wish it hadn't because we started well," said the Italian.
"We will have to see what happens. When we came to the stadium I saw the supporters being checked. Clearly they did not check enough."
***********************************************
Ukraine 1-0 England: The Sunday Mirror match report
England's unbeaten World Cup qualifying run came to an end on a night when keeper Robert Green was sent off.
A first-half strike from Sergiy Nazarenko sentenced the Three Lions to their first competitive defeat under Fabio Capello and gave Ukraine a glorious opportunity to join England in South Africa next summer via next month’s play-offs. It was cruel on England – and especially Green.
The West Ham shot-stopper saw a golden opportunity to cement himself as Capello’s No.1 ended in the 13th minute when he conceded a penalty for a foul on Artem Milevskyi after a horrendous slip by Rio Ferdinand.
Former Chelsea flop Andriy Shevchenko missed the spot-kick, hitting the post after David James had replaced Aaron Lennon and taken over in goal. But Ukraine’s victorious night was soured when home fans sent a series of flares on to the pitch early in the game.
Dnipropetrovsk was once a city used by the Soviet Union to build nuclear missiles – and the locals seemed intent on declaring another Cold War when they sent a volley of flares arcing towards Green within a minute of the kick-off.
Play was halted while a series of small fires were extinguished on the pitch.
The evening didn’t get any better for the West Ham keeper. There was an early flurry of attacks from England as Capello looked to improve on a record which had brought victories in all eight of his team’s previous Group Six matches.
Aaron Lennon was first to threaten, smuggling himself clear down the right to send over a cross that was destined for Emile Heskey’s head until Yaroslav Rakytskiy intervened.
Then captain John Terry broke up play on the half-way line, swapped passes with Lennon and curled a cross that was just too strong for Wayne Rooney.
Within seconds, though, Green’s chance of establishing himself as undisputed England’s No.1 came to an abrupt end.
Ferdinand’s woeful control allowed Milevskyi to race clear and the striker’s poor first touch tempted Green into believing he could get there first. He didn’t.
Green plunged towards Milevskyi’s feet and when the Dynamo Kiev forward went tumbling, referee Damir Skomina pointed to the penalty spot.
The Slovenian official then inexplicably appeared to show a red card to Ferdinand before being told by fourth official Darko Ceferin that Green had committed the offence.
The keeper duly departed and after Capello sent on James in place of the unfortunate Lennon, the scene seemed set for former Chelsea misfit Shevchenko to finally show the English what he can do.
Sheva sent James the wrong way, but watched in horror as the ball struck the outside of the post. Cue more fireworks from behind the goal.
But the home side were ahead in the 29th minute when Glen Johnson’s block tackle fell to Nazarenko 25 yards out and his first-time blast flew past James and into the top corner after taking a deflection off the head of Ashley Cole.
Ukraine knew a win would take them above Croatia in the race for second place and a play-off berth, with a final game against whipping boys Andorra to come.
They got lucky when Rooney set up Frank Lampard and the Chelsea midfielder was only inches away from scoring his seventh goal in his last eight England appearances.
England were fortunate moments later, though, when Milevskyi’s long-range blast beat James but shivered the crossbar.
Steven Gerrard was replaced by James Milner at the break but, despite the promptings of Rooney, the home side looked comfortable. It needed a flying save by James to keep England in the contest, the Portsmouth keeper flinging himself high to his right to paw away Rakytskiy’s long-range drive.
Rooney did force Andriy Piatov into a save at the other end, but his curling effort was too close to the keeper.
Lampard wasted a glorious chance when he took on one man too many deep in the Ukraine penalty area and was dispossessed.
But more uncertain defending in front of James presented Shevchenko with another fine chance but he bundled the ball wide from close range. Qualification may have been guaranteed, but England were refusing to relinquish their unbeaten record without a fight.
James excelled again when he blocked Andriy Yarmolenko’s shot with his legs after the Ukraine substitute had broken clear.
Rooney almost rescued England in the final minute when his low drive from 20 yards flashed a fraction wide.
Then, in injury time, Lampard could only direct Rooney’s corner over from close range.
mirror.co.uk
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