The Football Association of Serbia warned UEFA, threatening to withdraw from Euro 2024 over alleged “kill the Serb” chants heard during a match between Croatia and Albania in Hamburg. In a letter to UEFA General Secretary Theodore Theodoridis, the Serbian association described the chants as “shameful joint chanting by fans of both national teams.”
Jovan Šurbatović, General Secretary of the Football Association of Serbia, expressed outrage and demanded UEFA sanctions, even if it meant Serbia’s withdrawal. UEFA appointed an inspector to investigate potential racist and discriminatory behavior by fans during the Croatia-Albania match.
Serbia, which drew 1-1 with Slovenia in its second Group C match on Thursday, continues to fight for a spot in the Euro 2024 knockout stages. These alleged chants stem from long-standing ethnic and political grievances dating back to the Balkan conflicts of the 1990s, particularly involving Kosovo, a former Serbian province with a majority ethnic Albanian population.
The Serbian association’s letter called for punishment of those responsible and emphasized that such actions contradict UEFA’s principles. It also noted that the chant occurred in the 58th minute and accused an unnamed Albanian player of inciting the crowd with the same chant after the game.
The Croatian Football Federation denied its fans’ involvement in racist or discriminatory chants and noted that the UEFA delegate’s report did not mention such incidents. Awaiting comment from the Albanian soccer federation.
UEFA is also investigating the alleged inappropriate behavior of Albania’s forward Mirlind Daku, though it did not specify if he was the player Serbia referred to. Since the tournament began, UEFA has fined both the Serbian and Albanian soccer associations for fan incidents.
Albania received a fine of approximately $40,000 for incidents during their opening match against Italy, including lighting fireworks, throwing objects, a pitch invasion, and transmitting provocative messages. Serbia faced a fine of approximately $15,500 for similar offenses after their loss to England, including provocative messaging and throwing objects.
Serbia vs. Slovenia
In a dramatic turn of events, Serbia scored a stoppage-time equalizer to draw 1-1 against Slovenia on Thursday, keeping their Euro 2024 hopes alive. Luka Jović’s 95th-minute header ignited celebrations at Munich’s Allianz Arena and denied Slovenia its first-ever European Championship win. Žan Karničnik had given Slovenia the lead in the second half, but Serbia’s persistence paid off in the final moments.
This draw places Serbia at the bottom of Group C with one point, while Slovenia is second with two points.
