England boss Southgate demands action after stars racially abused

England boss Gareth Southgate [Courtesy]

England players were subjected to racist abuse from Montenegro fans during their 5-1 win in Podgorica.

Manager Gareth Southgate insisted he "definitely heard abuse" at Danny Rose late in the game, whilst Raheem Sterling appeared to respond by cupping his ears to home fans after scoring the fifth goal.

The FA are now set to speak to their players and compile evidence before reporting the incidents to Uefa.

Southgate said: "I definitely heard abuse at Danny Rose when he got booked at the end of the game,"

"There's no doubt in my mind that happened,"

"We'll make sure it's reported officially. That's not acceptable."

Asked whether Sterling's celebration was a response to racial abuse, he admitted he was yet to seek clarification from the player.

"I'm not sure yet," he added, "I had quick chat with Danny as I heard what had happened there,"

"I've not had a chance to speak to Raheem yet,"

"Whatever he has heard we'll report, but I don't want to speculate yet.

"I know what I heard. We'll definitely deal with it in the right way and support our players."

It was a despicable end to a night that saw the Three Lions win back-to-back games by five goals or more for the first time since 1984 as Southgate's decision to turn to young talent paid off.

"I know what I heard. We'll definitely deal with it in the right way and support our players."

Callum Hudson-Odoi made his first start for England and was upset at the abuse he heard.

Sterling appeared to respond to fans with his celebration [Courtesy]

Speaking to beIN SPORTS, he said: “I don’t think discrimination should be anywhere you know. We are equal. You have to play a fair game and enjoy the moment.

“You just have to keep your head and keep a strong mentality. Hopefully, Rosey is OK as well,"

"If anything, we will have a chat and discuss what has happened. He’s got a strong mentality, he’s a strong guy, so I think everything will be good and hopefully UEFA deal with it,"

“It’s not right at all. I was enjoying the game as well and to hear stuff like that is never right,"

“You’ve got to have a strong mentality and we are still delighted for the win. We will take that and go back home.”

It was a despicable end to a night that saw the Three Lions win back-to-back games by five goals or more for the first time since 1984 as Southgate's decision to turn to young talent paid off.

Declan Rice looked comfortable enough on his first start and Hudson-Odoi recovered from a nervy opening in impressive fashion on the night he became the second-youngest player to start a competitive match for his country.

The 18-year-old and then Michael Keane were culpable of failing to clear the ball as Vesovic opened the scoring, but both recovered impressively.

Callum Hudson-Odoi made his first start for England and was upset at the abuse he heard [Courtesy]

The latter rose to head home his first England goal from a free-kick sent in by Ross Barkley, who turned home after a shot from Hudson-Odoi.

Barkley slammed home a second and Kane turned in a cross on the break from Sterling, who gestured with his ears towards the home fans after latching onto an exquisite Jordan Henderson through ball.

Hudson-Odoi picked up an object thrown onto the field during the aftermath of that goal, while things boiled over late on and Rose was subjected to monkey chants.

Sterling celebrated in front of the home fans and said: "It's a shame really because it was a massive team performance at a difficult ground, a difficult place to come,"

"We knew how difficult it would be, we knew it would be hard at times but we stuck together as a team and there were some great performances in there today but then a couple of idiots, mind my language, but a couple of idiots ruin a great night,"

"It is a really sad thing to hear, I didn't hear it personally but my team-mate Danny heard it and it is a sad thing to hear,"

"It wasn't just one or two people that heard it, I think the whole bench heard it and some of the families heard it."