Serbia Calls for Positive Support Ahead of England Match
Serbia has urged its supporters to present a proud image to the world as they prepare to host England in a World Cup qualifying match.
Due to a FIFA sanction for racist chanting during a previous match against Andorra, at least 15% of Belgrade's Rajko Mitic Stadium will be closed to home fans.
The Serbian Football Association (FSS) has stated that it has incurred fines exceeding £600,000 from FIFA and UEFA over the past five years for various infractions including the use of prohibited items, insults, and discrimination in the stands.
Branko Radujko, the general secretary of the FSS, cautioned fans in the match program ahead of the England game that any misconduct could lead to further repercussions.
“We are still under special monitoring from UEFA,” he wrote. “Any inappropriate behavior, insult, or incident could have severe consequences for our journey to the USA, Mexico, and Canada, including the risk of playing a crucial match against Albania behind closed doors.”
Radujko continued, “I sincerely and earnestly ask you: let us cheer passionately, but let it be in a fair manner. We can be loud yet dignified. Our support should be a source of strength, not a liability for the national team.”
England captain Harry Kane commented, “We had a meeting to discuss the UEFA protocols in place. We prefer not to dwell on it too much; our focus is on the game. Anything can happen, but we are not preoccupied with that.”
He added, “We are prepared to follow the UEFA protocols. We handled a similar situation well in Bulgaria in 2019. We’ve had discussions, and if racist abuse occurs, we will take the necessary actions.”
UEFA’s three-step protocol requires referees to:
First, briefly halt the game and announce over the public address system for fans to cease any racist behavior.
If the abuse continues, stop the game for five to ten minutes, remove the players from the pitch, and make another announcement.
If the situation persists after the second restart, the referee has the authority to abandon the match.
BBC Sport has examined the reasons behind Serbia's sanctions and the historical context of racism faced by England against Serbian national teams.
Reasons for Serbia's Punishments
Many of Serbia's recent sanctions are linked to issues surrounding Kosovo. Following the disintegration of Yugoslavia in the 1990s, Kosovo sought independence, which led to a violent crackdown by Serbia against ethnic Albanians, concluding in 1999 after NATO intervention.
Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in February 2008, a status Serbia does not recognize. Serbian fans, often led by ultra groups, chant slogans such as “Kosovo is the heart of Serbia,” and engage in derogatory chants against Albanians, Croats, and Bosnian Muslims.
In recent years, Serbia has faced multiple sanctions from both FIFA and UEFA. Here are some notable penalties from the last three years:
2025: Partial stadium closure for the England match due to discriminatory abuse against Andorra.
2024: Partial stadium closures for two home matches and a ban on selling tickets for away games due to discriminatory abuse and damage during Nations League matches.
2024: The Serbian FA fined £12,250 after objects were thrown and a provocative message was displayed during a Euro 2024 defeat by England.
2023: Partial stadium closure due to fans' discriminatory abuse during a win over Montenegro.
2022: The FA fined around £18,000 after a flag depicting Kosovo as part of Serbia was displayed in the dressing room for a match against Brazil at the World Cup.
None of the recent charges are believed to pertain to racism against black players.
Serbia's Racism History with England
England's Under-21 players have experienced racist abuse from Serbian fans on two notable occasions. In 2007, the FSS was fined £16,000 during the European Championship in the Netherlands for racial abuse directed at England's Nedum Onuoha.
In 2012, England defender Danny Rose received a red card for kicking the ball away in response to racist chants from the crowd in Krusevac during a Euros qualifier. Rose reported being subjected to monkey chants and having stones thrown at him.
Andros Townsend, who played in that match, discussed the issue on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Monday Night Club, recalling, “Back in 2013, we were shocked. We weren’t expecting that kind of behavior. There were no protocols in place, leading to a chaotic scene. The game has significantly progressed since then.”
He added, “If similar incidents occur on Tuesday, the players have agreed on a plan of action, allowing the authorities to address the situation afterward.”
‘Let the Match with England Be a Celebration of Sport and Respect’
The Serbian FA emphasized in their statement, “The national team is our pride, and it deserves support that reflects the importance of these matches. We stress the need for proper behavior to foster a positive atmosphere in the stadium.”
They continued, “Let us unite in our love for football, support our national team appropriately, and show respect for our opponents and their national anthem. Let the match with England be a celebration of sport and respect among rivals and nations.”
Radujko added, “Football originated in England, but Belgrade should be the venue where the game receives new emotions on September 9. This is our opportunity to unite and remember why we love football and its significance when the entire nation comes together. This match is about points, but also about pride.”
England manager Thomas Tuchel expressed optimism, stating, “I always believe in the good and expect a high-level sporting event. I prefer not to focus on potential issues because I believe in the beauty of the sport and the game.”