Switzerland and Serbia shared the points in a tense Nations League encounter in November, ending in a 1-1 draw. However, attention turned to off-field controversies as UEFA toughened its tone against the Serbian Football federation over disturbing incidents involving racist behavior by fans during two matches of the League of Nations.
The decision was announced on Friday, just hours before Serbia were drawn with Albania in the same 2026 World Cup qualifying group, increasing tension as the two nations prepare to face each other on the field during the upcoming qualifications.
On Monday, the UEFA executive committee is expected to officially name Serbia and Albania as co-hosts of the 2027 European Under-21 Championship, a significant step in this tumultuous context.
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During the Serbia-Switzerland match in November, shocking footage emerged showing Serbian fans attempting to set fire to an Albanian flag. The Swiss team, often including players with origins linked to Albania or Kosovo—a region that declared independence from Serbia in 2008—raises the emotional stakes of these encounters.
In response to this abominable behavior, the UEFA disciplinary committee charged the Serbian federation with “racist and/or discriminatory behavior” stemming from the match against Switzerland on November 15, as well as another incident against Denmark three days ago. later, accompanied by various other offenses including the display of an “illicit banner”.
The consequences for the Serbian football federation are serious: a ban on ticket sales for the next two away matches in UEFA competitions, coupled with the closure of the stands during two home matches. The first phase of these sanctions is scheduled for March, when Serbia faces Austria in a crucial two-leg play-off match for promotion to the Nations League.
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Additionally, UEFA imposed fines totaling €173,000 (£143,500) on the federation, including €90,000 (£75,000) relating directly to incidents of discrimination.
This is not the first time that Serbian football’s governing body has come under fire. Ongoing charges from UEFA and FIFA regarding repeated fan behavior date back to events observed at Euro 2024 in Germany and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Upcoming clashes between Serbia and Albania in next year’s World Cup qualifying campaign will revive memories of past encounters—notably the chaotic scene in Belgrade in October 2014 when a World Cup qualifier Euro 2016 was abandoned due to a drone carrying an Albanian nationalist banner disrupting the match.
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