The English Football Association has decided to delay putting tickets on sale for England’s game against Slovakia.
The game is scheduled to be played on June 11 at the Riverside Stadium in Middlesbrough. However UEFA have launched an investigation into alleged racial abuse from England fans during the recent qualifier against Turkey at Sunderland and if found guilty, England face the prospect of playing the Slovakia match behind closed doors.
The FA issued a statement, saying: “The sale of tickets for the forthcoming match between England versus Slovakia on 11 June at Middlesbrough has been delayed. Further details will be announced in due course.”
UEFA has taken a tough line over the issue of racial chanting recently. Slovakia were forced to play their last home qualifier behind closed doors after supporters abused Emile Heskey and Ashley Cole when England played there last year.
England could suffer a similar fate if the investigation concludes racist chanting took place.
The match against was marred by additional controversy. Minor pitch invasions took place after England’s goals and Turkey have also been charged by UEFA for the behavior of their players in the tunnel after the game.