January 27 – The Serbian FA has lost its appeal to UEFA over sanctions totalling €119,000 fine for fan misconduct during their Nations League match against Switzerland last November. Serbia’s appeal, challenging the original decision handed down in December, was rejected by the confederation’s Appeal Body on Friday, confirming the full extent of the penalties.
The most serious charges relate to anti-Kosovo and anti-Albanian behaviour, with €50,000 fined for offensive slogans and €25,000 for displaying flags depicting Kosovo as part of Serbia. These actions also resulted in a ban on Serbian supporters attending the next two away matches, including their highly charged fixture against Albania in Tirana.
Additional violations during the Switzerland game in Zurich added to the federation’s financial woes. These included €8,250 for fireworks, €31,000 for objects thrown onto the pitch, and €500 for stadium damage, bringing the total for the match to €119,000.
This is not the first time Serbia has found itself in UEFA’s disciplinary crosshairs, having repeatedly been sanctioned for anti-Kosovo displays and discriminatory conduct.
The UEFA Appeal Body also confirmed separate sanctions for Serbia’s match against Denmark on November 18. Racist and discriminatory behaviour led to a €40,000 fine and a partial stadium closure for Serbia’s next two home games. Lesser penalties were issued for fan incursions (€10,000) and pyrotechnics (€3,000).
With mounting fines and sanctions, Serbia’s football authorities face increasing pressure to address fan behaviour. UEFA’s firm stance makes clear that such incidents will not be tolerated, but whether these financial and competitive consequences lead to real change remains to be seen.
The racist incident occurred just three months on from Serbia threatening to leave UEFA’s Euro 2024 competition mid-tournament due to xenophobic chanting between Croatia and Albania fans in their group stage clash.
Chants could be heard during the 2-2 Group B draw about the killing of Serbians – encouraged by Albania striker Mirlind Daku via megaphone – which saw the player banned for two matches.
Despite the drama, Serbia stayed in the competition. Not for long, though, as they failed to make it past the group stages – exiting just three days after threatening to leave.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1738108309labto1738108309ofdlr1738108309owedi1738108309sni@g1738108309niwe.1738108309yrrah1738108309