UEFA today charged the Football Association over racist abuse by England fans during last week's international against Turkey.
The FA had already been charged over pitch invasions during the 2-0 win by England at the Stadium of Light but now face the much more serious charge of racism by England supporters.
It means there is now an increased possibility of England being forced to play a European Championship qualifier behind closed doors.
UEFA said in a statement: "UEFA has today started disciplinary proceedings against the Football Association of England in relation to 'racist abuse by English supporters' at the UEFA EURO 2004 qualifying match on 2nd April between England and Turkey. This follows a review of the material evidence, including an official complaint by the Turkish FA."
Disciplinary proceedings have also been instigated against the Turkish FA for the improper conduct of players in the tunnel after the match and both cases will be dealt with at a meeting of UEFA's control and disciplinary body on May 1.
Mike Lee, UEFA's director of communications and public affairs, said: "Having reviewed the match England versus Turkey of April 2, UEFA have decided to widen the case against the FA to include racist abuse by supporters - they have until April 21 to submit their response.
"Detailed evidence will now be supplied to our control and disciplinary body for their meeting on May 1 and all issues relating to this match will be dealt with at that meeting."
Although most of the crowd trouble at the England game took place outside Sunderland's ground, with 105 arrests, there was also unpleasant abuse inside the ground with audible chants of "I would rather be a Paki than a Turk".
UEFA's decision comes after European football's governing body studied reports from the referee and match delegate and viewed television footage.
The FA have already conceded there was racist abuse. Marketing and communications director Paul Barber said on the FA's website following the match: "We are concerned about instances of racist chanting which have been reported to the police and we strongly condemn such behaviour by any fans."
The likelihood of England being forced to play their next home European Championship qualifier, against Slovakia at Middlesbrough on June 11, behind closed doors remains a possibility rather than a probability.
Coincidentally, Slovakia had to play their match against Liechtenstein in an empty stadium after Emile Heskey and Ashley Cole were racially abused during England's match in Bratislava in October.
That abuse was certainly more serious than the incidents at the Stadium of Light, but with the pitch invasions and the trouble in the players' tunnel afterwards the FA are certainly sailing closer to the wind than they would like.
In their defence, they can point to the fact that they have led the way in Europe in combating racism in football, that the England team are usually the victims of racism, and that it is a first offence.