Ex-FA boss condemns Uefa action

Graham Kelly: Far from impressed with Uefa threat

The former chief executive of the Football Association has condemned Uefa's threat to kick England out of Euro 2000 if there is any more violence, as "astonishing and bizarre".

Graham Kelly said the violence had been deplorable but the only ones to suffer, if there was an expulsion, would be the team and the genuine fans.

"It is unfair to the England team 48 hours before their big match against Romania and unfair to the FA and England fans," Kelly told BBC Sport Online.

"I can understand that Uefa ran out of patience but they have made an astonishing and bizarre statement.

"It will encourage yobs from other countries to have a go."

Concern

Kelly also shared the concern of FA executive director David Davies who was unhappy Uefa had failed to discuss the threat of England's expulsion from the tournament with any senior FA officials.

"Not to have anyone from the English FA to address the meeting which made the statement was stupid," said Kelly.

"It leaves Uefa wide open to something which I don't believe personally but it leaves them open to charges of bias against England in the bidding for the 2006 World Cup."