Riot police called into action at World Cup qualifier in Belgrade | OneFootball

Riot police were dispatched to restore calm after an incident of fan disorder during Serbia’s World Cup qualifier against England.

The build-up to the game had been dominated by fears of disorder, with at least 15% of the Stadium Rajko Mitic - home of Red Star Belgrade - closed to home supporters as a Fifa punishment for “discrimination and racist abuse” in a game against Andorra in June.

The general secretary of the Football Association of Serbia (FSS), Branko Radujko, pleaded with home supporters in his matchday programme to “to send out an image to the world that will make us all proud” and “support our national team in the right way”.

“We are still under special monitoring of Uefa. Every inappropriate reaction, insult or incident could cost us dearly on our path to the USA, Mexico and Canada,” Radujko warned.

The match was briefly paused in the 38th minute, with England 2-0 up, after a laser pen was pointed at Ezri Konsa’s face, with another appearing to be shone at Reece James as he prepared to take a free-kick.

Play resumed after the short stoppage with a warning played out over the PA telling fans not to use pyrotechnics and laser pens.

The FSS could be set for further sanctions after a disturbance in the second half. England’s travelling contingent were cloistered in one section of the stands with empty sections between them and the home fans, and the disorder that erupted was actually between different groups of Serbian supporters, with some reportedly singing anti-government songs.

The disturbance occurred after around 60 minutes of play and sparked worrying scenes as families attempted to move young children away from the scene. ITV’s Gabriel Clarke reported that the unrest was related to the political protests occurring in Serbia this week between pro- and anti-government factions.

The ruling Serbian Progressive Party initially wanted to stage this match in the more remote city of Leskovac, as a way of avoiding anti-government demonstrations scheduled for 2pm in Belgrade on the eve of the game, but the Football Association objected.

Riot police were swiftly on the scene and defused the incident, with home fans streaming out of the stadium throughout the second half as Serbia slumped to a 5-0 defeat.