Serbia threaten to leave Euros

Serbia are threatening to withdraw from the Euro 2024 tournament in Germany after Albanian and Croatian fans sung offensive chants when they faced each other in their fixture yesterday, as per MailSport.

Serbia threaten to QUIT the Euros as their FA demand Croatia and Albania are punished for chanting 'Kill, Kill, Kill the Serbs' 🚨

— Mail Sport (@MailSport) June 20, 2024

Serbia, placed in Group C alongside England, Denmark and Slovenia, have threatened to take this action after chants of “kill, kill, kill the Serbs” were heard during the 2-2 draw between Albania and Croatia.

The three countries concerned were previously part of the all encapsulating Yugoslavia until it broke apart in the 90’s, and citizens of the former Soviet nations still harbor distrust, and on occasion, hatred towards people from other such nations.

The Serbian FA are now requesting immediate action by UEFA, and should this action not be deemed suitable, Serbia could withdraw from the tournament altogether.

Serbian FA General Jovan Surbatovic said: “What happened is scandalous, and we will ask UEFA for sanctions, even at the cost of not continuing the competition.”

“We will request UEFA to punish the federations of both nations.”

Despite the controversial behavior, Surbatovic has urged Serbian fans to rise above it and represent Serbia in the correct manner.

“We Serbs are gentlemen and we have an open heart, so I appeal to the fans to remain gentlemen.”

Before their match yesterday, Albanian and Croatian fans sang the song “Bojna Čavoglave” by fascist Ustashi sympathizer Marko Perković, which glorifies Ustashi WWII slogans and attacking Serbia. They later chanted “Kill the Serbs” during the match. pic.twitter.com/B0fP5mVM8N

— Aleks Djuricic (@AleksDjuricic) June 20, 2024

This would put England’s tournament in jeopardy, as should Serbia wave goodbye to Germany, then final group opponents Denmark will be awarded an automatic 3 points, meaning England may have to win their final group game against Slovenia in order to progress.

There is still no confirmation as to if a final decision has been made, but it is hoped by fans of every nation that the insensitive acts of traveling fans do not have such an upsetting effect on such a prestigious tournament.