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Serbia sends UEFA letter over 'shameful' chanting amid threat to quit Euro 2024

20 June 2024 , 12:16
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Croatia fans have been accused of singing anti-Serbia songs during their game against Albania.
Croatia fans have been accused of singing anti-Serbia songs during their game against Albania.

Serbia’s FA have written to UEFA over what they allege was “shameful chanting” by Albania and Croatia supporters - and are threatening to pull out of the tournament unless severe punishments are handed down.

Both sets of fans were accused of singing anti-Serbian songs during Tuesday's 2-2 in Hamburg and the FSS also blasted the behaviour of an Albanian journalist working at the stadium. UEFA are yet to respond to the threat.

In a statement the Serbian governing body said: "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."

That follows comments made by FSS general secretary Jovan Surbatovic in which he demanded repercussions.

Surbatovic went on to claim that his own nation’s supporters were “gentlemen” despite UEFA opening a separate investigation into allegations that they racially abused England players during last Sunday’s Group C game in Gelsenkirchen.

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UEFA have already fined the Serbian FA £12,200 for the lighting of fireworks and a banner that displayed a provocative message during the 1-0 defeat to Gareth Southgate ’s side. The head of European football said disciplinary proceedings were opened after Serbia fans were found to have "transmitted a provocative message not fit for a sports event."

But Surbatovic added of the Albania and Croatia incident: "What happened is scandalous and we will ask UEFA for sanctions, even at the cost of not continuing the competition.

"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.

Serbia sends UEFA letter over 'shameful' chanting amid threat to quit Euro 2024Qazim Laci celebrates Albania's goal against Croatia (Getty Images)

“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."

Separately Albania were fined £31,500 by UEFA for a number of fan-related offences during their opening game versus reigning champions Italy last Saturday. Those charges came from the lighting of fireworks and displaying another provocative message.

Serbia face Slovenia on Thursday afternoon before England take on Denmark.

Alan Smith

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