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Defoe feels sorry for abused Rose

ESPN staff
October 18, 2012

England striker Jermain Defoe has expressed his sympathy for Danny Rose after the Under-21 international was subjected to sustained racial abuse during England's clash with Serbia on Tuesday night.

A scuffle broke out moments after Connor Wickham scored the winning goal in the 90th minute to qualify for next year's European Under-21 Championship, and Rose was shown a second yellow card after the final whistle for kicking the ball into the stands.

Rose has called for Serbia to be banned in order to send a message that racism will not be tolerated, but the Serbian FA has categorically denied that the defender was racially abused and described Rose's behaviour at full-time as vulgar.

Both England and Serbia have been charged for the melee that broke out between players and staff after the match.

Defoe, a Tottenham team-mate of Rose who is currently on loan at Sunderland, admitted that he feels sorry that the 22-year-old's international experience was tainted by the events in Krusevac.

"It must be tough for the players that were over there," Defoe told Sky Sports News. "To play for the country at any level, Under-21s or senior level, it's such a big occasion every game you play, especially at that time of your life to be representing your country.

"All you want to be is equal to everyone else. If you are getting those kinds of chants it's not nice.

"All you want to do is enjoy your football and take in the experience. It's not nice to experience anything like that."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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