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Serbia threaten to quit Euros after rule break as England result under threat

20 June 2024 , 09:49
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Serbia lost 1-0 to England in their opening match (Image: Icon Sport via Getty Images)
Serbia lost 1-0 to England in their opening match (Image: Icon Sport via Getty Images)

Serbia say they will pull out of Euro 2024 if alleged offensive chanting from Croatia and Albania fans isn't punished, with potential ramifications for England's group.

Both sets of fans were accused of singing anti-Serbian songs during Tuesday's 2-2 draw between Croatia and Albania in Hamburg, with the Serbian FA issuing a furious statement in the aftermath, referring to the behaviour of an Albanian journalist.

"What happened is scandalous and we will ask UEFA for sanctions, even at the cost of not continuing the competition," Serbian FA General Secretary Jovan Surbatovic said.

"We are sure that they will be punished, because they have already responded to our appeal to remove the so-called journalist from Albania from the championship. We will request UEFA to punish the federations of both selections. We don't want to participate in that, but if UEFA doesn't punish them, we will think about how to proceed.

"We were punished for the cases of fishing and our fans behaved much better than the others. One fan was fined for racist abuse and we don't want it to be attributed to others. We Serbs are gentlemen and we have an open heart, so I appeal to the fans to remain gentlemen."

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In a separate statement, the Serbian FA added: "Due to shameful joint chanting of the fans at the match between Croatia and Albania, the Football Association of Serbia sent a letter to Theodore Theodoridis, the UEFA General Secretary."

Serbia lost 1-0 to England in their opening match of the tournament on Sunday, and face Slovenia in Munich on Thursday.

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UEFA have yet to acknowledge the alleged chanting, but Serbia's opponents Slovenia and Denmark, who they are scheduled to face in Munich on Tuesday, would be awarded a 3-0 win if the fixture isn't fulfilled.

Serbia threaten to quit Euros after rule break as England result under threatSerbia face Slovenia on Thursday in Munich (Getty Images)

Serbia were punished by UEFA for breaking two rules during their match against England, with the Serbian FA fined €10,000.

A UEFA statement read: "Disciplinary proceedings have been instigated in accordance with Article 55 of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations (DR) following the UEFA European Championship group stage match between Serbia and England (0-1) played on 16 June 2024 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany.

"Charges against Football Association of Serbia (FSS): Throwing of objects, Art. 16(2)(b) DR, Transmitting a provocative message unfit for a sports event, Art. 16(2)(e) DR.

"The UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) will decide on the matter in due course. Furthermore, an UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector will conduct a disciplinary investigation regarding alleged discriminatory behaviour."

The charges were later proven, while a separate investigation over alleged racist chanting is ongoing.

Mark Jones

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