Serbia is considering withdrawing from Euro 2024 due to the inappropriate chanting that took place during the match between Croatia and Albania. The chants about the killing of Serbians have caused outrage among officials, with the general secretary of the Football Association of Serbia, Jovan Surbatovic, calling for strong sanctions to be imposed. He expressed his concern over the incident, stating that they will ask Uefa for sanctions, even if it means pulling out of the competition altogether.
The incident has escalated further with Uefa’s decision to cancel the credentials of Kosovar journalist, Arlind Sadiku, who made a nationalist gesture towards Serbia fans during the game against England. This gesture, resembling the eagle on Albania’s national flag, has intensified tensions between Serbian nationalists and ethnic Albanians. Surbatovic emphasized that they will demand both selections’ federations to be punished, as they do not wish to be part of such behavior.
In response to the incidents, Serbia was fined £12,250 for objects thrown by fans during the England match. Additionally, both Serbia and Albania faced fines for displaying nationalist banners in their opening matches. Surbatovic defended Serbia’s fans, stating that they behaved better than others and that isolated cases should not reflect poorly on all supporters. He urged fans to maintain a sense of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct.
As Serbia prepares for their upcoming match against Slovenia, the team is faced with the decision of how to proceed in the tournament. The situation has highlighted the importance of maintaining respect and decency in sports events, urging all parties involved to uphold the values of fair play and mutual respect. The outcome of Uefa’s investigation and the response from Serbia will determine the course of action in the ongoing competition.