UEFA has initiated disciplinary proceedings against Serbia following their Euro 2024 match against England, citing fan behavior deemed inappropriate for a sporting event. The specific details of the charges have not been disclosed by UEFA, but they stem from a formal complaint lodged by the Kosovo Football Federation.
Kosovo, which declared independence from Serbia in 2008, a move not recognized by its neighbor, alleged that Serbian fans displayed a national flag encompassing Kosovo’s territory, along with chants and banners containing what they described as “political, chauvinistic and racist messages” targeting their nation.
UEFA’s disciplinary panel will consider a charge against Serbia for its fans “transmitting a provocative message unfit for a sports event” and for throwing objects during England’s 1-0 victory on Sunday in Gelsenkirchen. The panel is expected to reach a verdict before Thursday, when Serbia plays its second Euro 2024 match against Slovenia in Munich.
A fine is typically the penalty for such offenses, but more stringent measures could be imposed in future competitions.
Separately, UEFA has launched an investigation into alleged discriminatory behavior by Serbian fans. No timeline has been provided for this investigation.
Incidents of fan violence outside the stadium prior to the game, involving Serbian and English fans, fall outside the scope of UEFA’s strict liability rules, which primarily apply to conduct within the stadium. However, UEFA has a history of imposing sanctions on Serbia for fan misconduct and discriminatory behavior, including limiting ticket sales and ordering the team to play matches in an empty stadium.
