Serbian FA warns fans to improve behaviour ahead of England clash | OneFootball

Supporter unrest has seen Serbia fined over £600,000 since 2021

The Serbian FA has implored fans to improve their matchday behaviour ahead of England’s visit to Belgrade this week.

The Three Lions will face Serbia on Tuesday night as they look to book a place at next summer’s World Cup.

Travelling England fans can expect a hostile atmosphere on arrival at the Rajko Mitic Stadium as Serbian ultras have developed a reputation for poor behaviour.

In a new statement, the Serbian FA have warned supporters to clean up their act, revealing they have been subject to £610,072 (€703,375) in UEFA fines since 2021 as a result of fan misconduct.

After thanking supporters for their passionate support, the statement read: “We appeal to supporters to send out an image to the world that will make us all proud.

“UEFA has long ago proclaimed a list of prohibited items (signs, symbols, flags, sounds, chants, political slogans…) that are subject to sanctions and strict penalties.

“In the past five years (2021 – 2024/25), the FA of Serbia has been fined 703,375 Euros by UEFA and FIFA for various prohibited items, insults, and discrimination in the stands during the matches of the best national team and other national selections.

“This amount is only about 30,000 Euros less than the total fines for the previous 14 years, namely the period from 2006-2020.

“The national team is our pride, we have no other, and it deserves support befitting such important matches. We wish to emphasise the value and need for support that contributes to creating a positive atmosphere at the stadium.

“Let us be united in our love for football, support our national team in the right way, show respect for the opponent and their national anthem. Let the match against England be a celebration of sport and respect between rivals and nations.”

The Rajko Mitic Stadium will only be at 85% capacity on Tuesday due to a UEFA sanction.

Serbia were fined £12,250 (€14,500) last summer after fans threw objects onto the pitch and displayed an illicit banner in the stands during a Euro 2024 clash with England.

Dusan Vlahovic was the only scorer as Serbia beat Latvia 1-0 on Saturday. They sit second in World Cup qualifying group K, trailing leaders England by five points.