UEFA has launched a formal investigation into both Croatia and Albania following allegations of anti-Serbian chanting by their fans during their Euro 2024 group stage match. This probe was initiated after a formal complaint from Serbia, raising concerns about discriminatory conduct at the high-profile football event.
Jovan Surbatovic, the General Secretary of the Football Association of Serbia, stated that fans from both nations were heard chanting “Kill, kill, kill the Serb” during the 2-2 draw in Hamburg on Wednesday. These accusations have led to significant tension, with Surbatovic even suggesting that Serbia might consider withdrawing from the Euro 2024 tournament if UEFA does not take sufficient action. It’s important to note that Serbia themselves are also facing a UEFA charge for incidents during their match against England.
Image alt text: Serbian forward Luka Jovic celebrates his equalizing goal against Slovenia at Euro 2024, a moment of resilience amidst fan conduct investigations.
UEFA confirmed the investigation on Thursday afternoon, issuing a statement that they are looking into “potential racist and/or discriminatory conduct by supporters.” This swift response underscores the seriousness with which UEFA is treating the allegations of anti-Serbian chants at the Euro 2024 match.
Prior to Serbia’s Group C game against Slovenia, Surbatovic expressed his gratitude to Serbian fans for their support against England, while also addressing the chanting controversy. He emphasized the need for UEFA sanctions, stating, “What happened is scandalous and we will ask Uefa for sanctions, even if it means not continuing the competition. If Uefa doesn’t punish them, we will think about how to proceed.” This strong stance highlights the deep concern within the Serbian Football Association regarding the alleged behavior of Croatian and Albanian fans.
Serbia is already under scrutiny, having been charged by UEFA on Monday. This charge relates to a banner displayed by Serbian fans during their game against England, which was deemed to contain “a provocative message unfit for a sports event,” as well as for throwing objects inside the stadium. The Kosovo Football Federation had also lodged a complaint regarding “political, chauvinistic, and racist messages against Kosovo” allegedly displayed by Serbian fans during the same England match.
In response to these charges, Surbatovic defended Serbian fans, claiming that they “behaved much better than the others” and that punishments were for “isolated cases.” He asserted, “We Serbs are gentlemen and we have an open heart,” attempting to mitigate the accusations against Serbian supporters while demanding action against Croatia and Albania.
Adding another layer to the situation, Serbian fans were heard chanting “Kosovo is the heart of Serbia” in Munich’s Marienplatz just on Thursday, before their match with Slovenia. This demonstrates the complex and politically charged atmosphere surrounding Serbia’s participation in Euro 2024, amidst ongoing investigations into fan behavior from multiple nations.
The outcome of UEFA’s investigation into the alleged Croatia Albania Euro 2024 fan chants remains to be seen, but it is clear that the issue of fan conduct is a significant concern at this major tournament.
