Keeper highlights unity in race row - Sport in brief - Evening Standard
       

Keeper highlights unity in race row

Scott Carson believes the racist abuse aimed at England Under-21 players has made the squad stronger as they approach the final stages of the European Championships in Holland.

UEFA had to make an announcement to stop Serbia fans chanting at Nedum Onuoha and the Football Association have also filed a complaint over abuse England players suffered from their opponents in the tunnel after the final whistle.

Liverpool goalkeeper Carson, who heard the chants at Onuoha, said: "It wasn't just aimed at the black players in our team, it was aimed at all our team because we're all together in this tournament. We all stuck together and got through it."

Germany striker Aaron Hunt was accused of abusing Anton Ferdinand and Micah Richards during the qualifying play-off, and the finals clash against Serbia on Sunday sparked more controversy.

Players such as Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o have threatened to leave the pitch in the face of racist abuse, but Onuoha admits that would signal victory to the perpetrators.

"I didn't really know what I was supposed to do and walking off the pitch was probably the last thing because we were winning at the time," he said.

"Even if something like that happens, I'd rather stay on for the team and get the result.

"People were talking about banning Serbia from the tournament but they got to the semi-final fair and square.

"I couldn't possibly say what UEFA should do, but sometimes if you send out a massive gesture it causes even more problems. Hopefully UEFA will deal with it in the right way."

Sport in brief in Pictures

Don't Miss
Gala night for the Queen of arts - stars turn out in their hundreds to pay tribute

Happy & glorious

Stars turn out in their hundreds to pay tribute to Queen
Prints charming: patterned trousers for summer

Prints charming

Patterned trousers for summer
Promethipedia: the lowdown on Ridley Scott's new blockbuster Prometheus

Promethipedia

The lowdown on Ridley Scott's new blockbuster Prometheus
The Middletan: Kate Middleton has the most requested tan in London

The Middletan

Kate Middleton has the most requested tan in London
Amy Childs bares all like Britney

Dare to bare

Amy Childs vajazzles like Britney
Thais go Gaga: singer’s ‘fake rolex’ tweet sparks new tour row... but fans still mob her at airport

Thais go Gaga

Singer mobbed at airport
Trip the bright fantastic - in vertiginous neon

Fashion

Trip the bright fantastic - in vertiginous neon
Chelsea Champions League celebrations - in pictures

Victory parade

Chelsea Champions League celebrations
High-flying heroes

High flying heroes

David Oyelowo reveals all about new film Red Tails
The Twitter Diaries: Think Bridget Jones tries social networking

The Twitter Diaries

Think Bridget Jones tries social networking