Montenegro’s appeal against playing their next home match behind closed doors after some supporters racially abused England players has been rejected by UEFA.
Raheem Sterling, Danny Rose and Callum Hudson-Odoi were subject to racist taunts by groups of home fans within the Gradski Stadion in Podgorica during the Three Lions’ Euro 2020 qualifying win in March.
Montenegro were subsequently ordered by UEFA to play their June 7 qualifier at home to Kosovo in an empty stadium, and the original ruling has been upheld.
A UEFA statement read: “The appeal lodged by Football Association of Montenegro has been dismissed.”
Sterling celebrated his goal in the game in front of the Montenegrin fans, who were heard directing monkey chants to England’s black players.
Further charges, carrying fines amounting to 20,000 euros (£17,260), were handed down by the governing body to Montenegro for the setting off of fireworks, throwing objects on to the pitch, crowd disturbances and stairways being blocked.