Serbs have threatened to withdraw from UEFA Euro 2024 if Albanian and Croatian supporters’ allegedly abusive chants go unpunished. During Tuesday’s 2-2 draw between Croatia and Albania in Hamburg, both sets of fans were accused of shouting anti-Serbian songs. The Serbian FA responded with an enraged statement, citing the actions of an Albanian journalist. Serbia is slated to play Slovenia in their second Group C match in Munich on Thursday.
Serbia threaten to quit EURO 2024
“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. 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.” he added.
His comment about the “so-called journalist from Albania” refers to a TV reporter from Kosovo who made the double-headed eagle sign toward Serbian fans during their game against England on Sunday. This gesture, representing the flag of Greater Albania, has fueled tension between Albanians and Serbs since the Yugoslav breakup in the early 1990s. The reporter has been banned from the tournament for “misconduct.”
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Albania fined for misconduct against Italy
The Albanian FA has been fined nearly £32,000 by UEFA for their fans’ poor behaviour during their opening game against Italy. They were penalized for throwing objects onto the pitch, lighting fireworks, a pitch invasion, and “transmitting a provocative message not fit for a sporting event.”
Serbia fined for hooliganism by UEFA
Serbia has also been sanctioned by UEFA, receiving a fine of just over £12,000 for their fans’ behaviour during the game against England in Gelsenkirchen. They were punished for displaying a banner asserting Serbia’s historic claim over Kosovo, a predominantly Albanian republic.
Additionally, seven Serbian fans were arrested after clashing with England supporters before the match, which England won 1-0. UEFA has opened an investigation into reports of racist chanting by Serbian fans during the game.
