Preparedness of England Team to Adhere to UEFA Regulations in Case of Racial Abuse at Serbian Stadium According to Harry Kane

In the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, England's football team will face a challenging atmosphere as they prepare to play in Belgrade on Tuesday night. This isn't just any ordinary match, as the Rajko Mitic Stadium, the venue for this encounter, has been described by England's captain, Harry Kane, as one of the most hostile places he's played at club level.

Kane's sentiments echo those from the past, with memories of the 2013 U21 Euros qualifying play-off second leg still fresh in the minds of many. That match, which saw Danny Rose endure racist abuse from Serbian fans, sparked a brawl between the two teams.

Fast forward to Euro 2024, and England's players once again found themselves subjected to abuse, this time with monkey chants from Serbian fans during the first half of England's 1-0 win. The incident has since been referred to UEFA's disciplinary authorities, and an investigation is underway.

UEFA has a three-step protocol against racism, which includes stopping the game, suspending the match for a reasonable period of time, and abandoning the match as a final resort. The UEFA delegate responsible for the match will assist the referee in determining whether the racist behaviour has ceased.

In light of these incidents, England's players have learned protocols from UEFA regarding discrimination and are prepared to respond if necessary. Kane himself has revealed a group meeting among players has determined their response should any discrimination be heard from the stands.

The issue of racism has not deterred Kane and his team from embracing the challenge of playing in such an environment. Kane, who has previously played at the Rajko Mitic Stadium with Tottenham in their 4-0 Champions League win over Red Star Belgrade, expressed that he and the team enjoy playing in challenging atmospheres.

However, the Serbian FA is not immune to the consequences of such incidents. Over the last five years, FIFA and UEFA have fined the Serbian FA €703,375 [£610,599] for various prohibited items, insults, and discrimination in the stands. Furthermore, around 15% of the Rajko Mitic Stadium will be closed to fans as a punishment from FIFA for racist chanting.

Serbia was also fined €14,500 for throwing objects and 'transmitting a provocative message unfit for a sports event' during the Euro 2024 match.

Despite the challenges, Kane remains optimistic, stating that Serbia vs England will be one of the biggest games they're going to have at the stadium and they'll try to make it as difficult as they can for England. The match promises to be a testament to the resilience of football and its players, as they continue to strive for a fair and inclusive environment for all.

Preparedness of England Team to Adhere to UEFA Regulations in Case of Racial Abuse at Serbian Stadium According to Harry Kane