Town captain Matt Holland has commented on the racist abuse aimed at Town's black players during Thursday's UEFA Cup match with FK Sartid. The Sartid captain Goran Bogdanovic has also had his say.

Holland wrote in his Independent column (http://sport.independent.co.uk/football/comment/story.jsp?story=339937): "It was embarrassing to be on the pitch as Finidi George, Marcus Bent and Jermaine Wright were subjected to monkey chants whenever they went near the touchline or received the ball. It was distasteful, wholly objectionable and desperately needs to be sorted out by UEFA.

"They must ban supporters, if indeed they are supporters, who spit and throw coins at players. I thought our players were dignified in their response, which must have been difficult for them. Bent made his feelings known to the referee at half-time but he, like us, was powerless to stop the mindless buffoons.

"Ironically Bent had his best game of the season, getting pushed over in the penalty area and scoring the ensuing spot-kick that put us through. Justice, I'd say, but not a pleasant experience.

"The targeted players were definitely upset, as I am sure I would be if I were the recipient."

The Town skipper says that English players are not used to that sort of treatment these days: "I think it was such a shock to all of us because it is a rarity in English football now. I cannot remember a match where players have been abused because of their race, and if it has happened it has not been dominant enough to be obvious. The Serbian crowd, however, could be heard from all round the ground and pitch.

"What is worrying is that this is not an isolated incident. Thierry Henry of Arsenal, Andy Cole of Blackburn, Liverpool's Emile Heskey and numerous others have complained, and although I don't want to label an area because of a few, it does appear that the Eastern European countries have a problem."

However, Sartid captain Goran Bogdanovic denied that his side's fans are prejudiced: "The fans are not racist. We Serbs never had problems with someone's colour of skin."

Earlier, Sartid's press officer Radoje Glisic also denied any wrong-doing by their supporters.

UEFA are set to meet to discuss the game next week, while the FA are keen to discuss the recent spate of similar incidents.

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