Foreign Office talks to Serbian police after England under-21 players are charged

Rose is held back by Craig Dawson and Serbia's Ninkovic (Getty Images)

The threat of two England Under-21 internationals and one of the team's coaches being charged with criminal offences, following last month's stormy clash with Serbia in Krusevac, has forced the involvement of the British government. Last night, the Foreign and Commonwealth office said: "We are investigating the full details of the charges before considering our response. The British embassy to Belgrade is liaising with the Serbian authorities on this as a matter of urgency."

If Serbia's public prosecutor decides that the matter is not one that must be dealt with by the courts, no charges will be brought, and the Government and Football Association, which still does not know the identity of the trio, are doing everything in their power to ensure this outcome.