England's 5-1 rout of Montenegro in their 2020 European Championship qualifier in Montenegro was soured by alleged racist abuse directed at some of their players leading to calls for stadium bans.
Defender Danny Rose was subjected to monkey chants and Raheem Sterling, scorer of England's fifth goal, was also targeted, with racist abuse heard throughout the game.
Sterling called for Montenegro supporters to be banned from matches while England manager Gareth Southgate said he would report the incidents to European soccer's governing body UEFA.
"I definitely heard abuse of Danny Rose when he got booked at the end of the game," Southgate told ITV Sport.
"There's no doubt in my mind that happened and we'll report it to UEFA. It's not acceptable."
Southgate said he had not had a chance to talk to Sterling, who gestured by cupping his hands to his ears towards a section of Montenegro fans when he scored late on.
"I didn't hear (racist chanting) personally but Danny (Rose) made it clear and (made me) aware that's what they were doing, so I just wanted to show them that they were going to need more than that to upset us and stop us," Sterling told Sky Sports.
Sterling later wrote on Twitter: "Best way to silence the haters...(and yeah I mean racists)"
Southgate gave a first start to Chelsea's 18-year-old Callum Hudson-Odoi, who also said he had heard the racist behaviour.
The teenager, who became the second-youngest England player to start a competitive game, confirmed he heard monkey chants, tarnishing what had been a memorable night in his career.
"You are trying to enjoy the moment but when you are hearing stuff like that from the fans, it's not right, it's unacceptable," he told beIN Sports.
"I don't think discrimination should be anywhere -- we are equal. Me and Rosey heard it, the 'oooh, oooh' monkey stuff.
"You just have to keep your heads, keep a strong mentality. Hopefully UEFA will deal with it."
The anti-discrimination group Kick it Out tweeted: "Disgraceful to hear racist chants directed at black England players this evening.
"As we've argued countless times, it's time for UEFA to take strong, decisive action - fines won't do.
"Extended stadium bans or tournament expulsion are what's needed."
Reuters
