Press article:

Wales may seek UEFA action over racist slurs - 21/08/2003

Welsh under 21's defeated by Serbia and Montenegro

Wales' youngsters had their two-game winning run ended with a 3-0 defeat in their Euro 2004 Under-21 qualifier, with goals from Danko Lazovic, Igor Matic and Dejan Milovanovic.

But their agony in Novi Sad was extended as captain Jason Brown suffered racial abuse and, according to manager Jimmy Shoulder, two other players were physically assaulted during the game. Both James Collins of Cardiff and David Pipe of Coventry had to be substituted after being the victim of elbow offences from home defenders who went unpunished.

The incidents involving Gillingham keeper Brown could end with a complaint from the Football Association of Wales to Uefa. "It was something I have not experienced in the UK," said Brown, who was abused every time he took a goal kick or collected the ball. "I have been to all the grounds where such things are supposed to happen, like Millwall, and never been subjected to any abuse. "It's sad in this day and age, and it disappoints me that it can happen. I will have to consider whether I ask the FAW to complain on my behalf."

Shoulder was annoyed at the lack of protection given to his players by Georgian referee Levan Paniashvili. "I complained to the referee at half-time that two of my players had been struck, in fact they were assaulted out there," said Shoulder. "James got a crack on the back of the neck and we eventually had to take him off because the blow had damaged his shoulder. "David was also battered by the Serb defenders and he too had to come off. "We've come off the back of a couple of good wins and now played here 50% below what we can."

BBC

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