Platini dismayed by Serbia scenes

Danny Rose appeared to be subjected to monkey chants during and after the 1-0 play-off win in Krusevac, which was followed by a mass brawl on the pitch between coaches and players from both sides.

UEFA has opened an investigation in to the chanting and European football's governing body has also charged the Football Association of Serbia (FSS) and the English Football Association (FA) for their players' conduct after the match.

England's FA vehemently deny the FSS's claim there was no racist chanting at the match and Robertson was so appalled by the ugly scenes that he wrote to UEFA's president to ask him to come down hard on the Serbians.

The FA revealed today that Platini has returned Robertson's letter admitting his shock at the events that unfolded.

"Michel Platini has written back to Hugh Robertson (and said) in unequivocal terms that they were disgraceful scenes," FA general secretary Alex Horne said.

"His immediate reaction was that they were disgraceful scenes that we shouldn't be seeing on a football pitch."

Horne hit back at the Serbians for appearing to release a video on YouTube that it said proved "there was no unsportsmanlike cheering and insulting of players on racial grounds."

"It's not what I have seen on the video clips I have seen and it is not what I have heard from eyewitness reports of multiple people who were on the trip," Horne said, speaking at an event to promote the FA's 150th anniversary next year at Wembley.

"I believe the guys and girls who were out there on the trip and that were hit by missiles.

"I wasn't there. I was watching on television. It was appalling. What the players went through out there is abhorrent."

UEFA is under pressure to come down hard on Serbia after its perceived weak punishments of other associations and clubs.

Horne, who warned last week that England may think twice about playing in the country again, has vowed to help UEFA in any way it can with the investigation.

"We have put our case forward," Horne added.

"It was very uncomfortable for the people out there so we have written in strong terms to UEFA.

"We spoke to the match commissioner. He is supporting our view of events so it has all gone through UEFA channels.

"We are looking at a hearing on the 22nd or 23rd of November.

"We will support that commission with any evidence or support they need. We have to look at it seriously."