The Sports Matrix: Friday 19 October 2012

Serbia players and staff asked to make formal statements

All Serbia players and staff involved in Tuesday night's Under-21 play-off against England have been asked to make formal statements by the Serbian Football Federation.

The match in Krusevac, which England won 1-0 to secure their place in next year's European Championship, was marred by unsavoury scenes at the final whistle with scuffling on the pitch amid accusations of racism from the stands towards England left-back Danny Rose, above.

Uefa has charged both the Football Association and their Serbian counterparts, and last night the governing body fined Lazio £32,500 after their fans racially abused Tottenham Hotspur players during last month's 0-0 draw in the Europa League at White Hart Lane. Visiting supporters directed monkey chants at Jermain Defoe, Aaron Lennon and Andros Townsend. The fine was handed out by Uefa's Control and Disciplinary Body. The Italian club, though, have up to three days to challenge the findings of the panel should they feel the findings are unfounded.

Chelsea should be 'open' about Terry

The chairman of football's equality group, Kick It Out, has said Chelsea "need to be open" about their punishment of John Terry. The club confirmed it had taken "confidential" action against Terry, who decided not to appeal against his FA fine and suspension for racial abuse. MORE

Cole fined for his tweet criticising FA

Ashley Cole has been fined £90,000 after admitting a Football Association charge. The fine was in relation to the defender's tweet, which labelled the game's governing body a "bunch of t***s" after an independent commission investigating the John Terry race-row.

AVB: Chelsea game is for Spurs, not me

Andre Villas-Boas said his club have more reason to relish tomorrow's game with Chelsea than he does. The Spurs manager, who was dismissed by Chelsea in March, said: "This is certainly not a personal matter. I feel this is much more [about] Tottenham." MORE

Cavendish leaves Sky for QuickStep

Mark Cavendish left Team Sky and completed with his move to Belgian team Omega Pharma-QuickStep, who will make Cavendish the focus of their squad. The move reunites the Briton with Brian Holm, his team director at HTC-Highroad before his move to Sky last year. MORE

Pietersen cleared for England return

Kevin Pietersen will return to England duty for the tour of India, after he completes his duties with the Delhi Daredevils at the Twenty20 Champions League in South Africa. The ECB says England and Pietersen have settled their differences. MORE

Rodgers: I will not be recalling Carroll

The Liverpool manager, Brendan Rodgers, says he will not recall the £35m striker Andy Carroll from loan in January despite Luis Suarez being his only fit first-team striker. Rodgers said: "[Recalling Carroll] isn't something I have considered." MORE

O'Neill hoping for touchline truce

Sunderland's manager, Martin O'Neill, hopes there is no repeat of his touchline row with his Newcastle counterpart, Alan Pardew, from last season when both teams meet on Sunday. O'Neill said: "I hope there wouldn't be a repeat." MORE

United may be able to predict injuries

Manchester United announced a scientific partnership with Toshiba, which can help them predict which players are prone to injury six to 12 months beforehand and solve problems with injured players which are among the worst in the Premier League. MORE

Frankel aims to shine at Ascot

Unbeaten colt Frankel aims to bring the curtain down on his illustrious career with a strong showing in the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot tomorrow. A sell-out crowd is expected for his 14th start. MORE

Focus on Rooney

A decade ago Wayne Rooney burst on the scene with his stunning strike against Arsenal. But Simon Hart asks whether the forward has lived up to all the hype from his early years. MORE