9:37PM BST 18 Oct 2012
“I was very disappointed about it and somewhat angry as well,” O’Neill said. “I don’t think it is something Danny will ever have encountered and I have the utmost sympathy for him. He shouldn’t have to endure that and that goes for everybody concerned.
“I’ll take the opportunity to let things lie for a day or two and I’ll speak to him closer to the time and see what state of mind he is in [to play against Newcastle].
“Whether he can take it in his stride, I don’t know. I’ll see whether things die down and then try to focus his mind on the game. It will depend very much on how he feels, but I’m sure he will want to play.”
The strength of backing for Rose after his ordeal will be illustrated by a
show of solidarity from
“It would be exceptionally gracious and I’m sure it would be appreciated,” O’Neill said.
The Northern Irishman stopped short of backing the FA’s threat to boycott future games in Serbia, although he said the fact that was being discussed showed how bad things had been.
“You’re hoping players will still be reasonably protected other than having a stampede of people coming on to the pitch,” he said. “Although having seen Steve Wigley being manhandled in the tunnel maybe I should have been more concerned about their physical safety.”
The Serbian FA has requested statements from all the players and officials involved in the European Championship qualifier on Tuesday night to determine who is subjected to disciplinary proceedings.
The ruling body’s president, Tomislav Karadzic, has also apologised for his players’ involvement, but claimed they were not solely to blame.
“The incident saw a fight which included individual players and members of the coaching staffs from both teams,” he said. “I have sent an apology on behalf of our association as we hosted the match, not that I think it was only our fault.
“There was unacceptable behaviour from certain members of our team. Youth is not an excuse for foul and unsportsmanlike conduct and cannot be an excuse for individuals from the staff who clearly violated the rules.”
Lazio have been fined £32,500 by Uefa for the improper conduct of their fans during the Europa League tie against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane last month.
Loud monkey chanting from the away fans was directed at Jermain Defoe, Aaron
Lennon and Andros Townsend during the Group J match, which ended 0-0 after
three
Uefa’s control and disciplinary body took the decision on Thursday, although Lazio have up to three days to appeal against the fine if they feel the findings of the panel are unfounded.
The modest size of the fine is bound to stoke controversy. Last season Uefa fined Porto only £16,700 for the racist abuse their fans’ directed at Manchester City’s Mario Balotelli and Yaya Toure.
