England fans reported to FIFA over 'racist' chants about Ferdinand brothers



England have been reported to FIFA over alleged racist chanting by fans towards Rio Ferdinand and his brother Anton in the 8-0 win over San Marino.

Fines could be imposed after Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) flagged up to world football's governing body the vile songs which suggested the pair be burned.



The chant was: 'Build a bonfire, build a bonfire, put Rio on the top, put Anton in the middle, then burn the f****** lot.'



The ultimate sanction, if FIFA take action against England, is playing a World Cup qualifier behind closed doors.



Accused: England supporters have been reported for chants about the Ferdinand brothers - THERE IS NO SUGGESTION THAT THOSE PICTURED WERE INVOLVED

Who are FARE?

Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) is an international network of groups active in over 40 countries.

Their aim is to help support and coordinate efforts across borders and strengthen activity at national level.

According to their mission statement: ‘We want to see the beautiful game played without discrimination and used as a social tool to unite communities, overcome exclusion and create social change.

'Our focus is on tackling racism of all kinds, homophobia, and to empower minorities and women to realise their personal and collective potential.' The general objectives of the FARE network are:

To promote a commitment to fight discrimination at all levels of football across Europe – in stadiums, on the pitch, in administration, in coaching and sport education and through the media

Use the appeal of football to tackle societal discrimination

To foster networking and exchange of good practice transnationally

To undertake activities to capacity build and empower marginalized and discriminated groups, in particular young people, migrants, ethnic minorities, members of the LGBT communities and women.

FARE, headed by Piara Powar, did not have observers at the game as it was not expected to be 'high risk', but was supplied with information about the chants by people who were and they have decided to act.

The organisation is a pan-European network that aims to rid racism from football. They also reported racist or xenophobic incidents at Croatia v Serbia and Poland v Ukraine, matches where members were present.

The Football Association did not know an official complaint had been made when Sportsmail enquired but they are aware of the songs.



English fans also sang about the IRA and 'German bombers' during the World Cup qualifier but FARE made it clear the Ferdinand chanting was the reason FIFA had been notified.

A FARE spokeswoman said: 'It refers to the racist abuse Rio Ferdinand received, along with his brother Anton.

'We don't make the judgement. We send a report to FIFA but in the end its their decision whether they open proceedings or not. And whether they issue a fine or not.'

An FA spokesman said: 'We have not been notified on this matter and until we get a full report it would not be appropriate to say anything.'



Powar told Sportsmail: ‘It’s not really the sort of thing we are generally attuned to looking at – fans abusing players of their own country who may not have been picked.



'Nevertheless if it happens at a game, even if the focus of the abuse isn’t there it’s still happening.



‘One of the things we want to underline straight off is that sometimes racism doesn’t only take the form of monkey chants or bananas being thrown. Sometimes there are things that are more subtle at play.



Abuse: England supporters chanted that Rio (above) and Anton Ferdinand (below left) should be 'burned'