SerbiaConsiders Leaving European Football Tournament Over Loud Chants from Croatian and Albanian Spectators
Surbatovic brought up a controversial topic, disclosing intentions to impose penalties on the football federations of Albania and Croatia by the UEFA, the organizers of the European championship. If these federations aren't held accountable, Surbatovic hinted at potential further actions.
Currently, Serbia stands at the bottom of Group C in the EM, yet still holds a chance to advance to the knockout stage. However, if the aforementioned sanctions are implemented, there's a risk of Serbia's expulsion from the 2028 European championship as well. The Serbian national coach, Dragan Stojkovic, remained silent on the issue following the game against Slovenia on Thursday.
The relations between Serbia, Albania, and Croatia have remained strained since the 1990s. Several former Yugoslav republics engaged in conflicts with each other during this period, with the Bosnian and Croatian wars being especially brutal. Serbia engaged in a war against Albanian freedom fighters in the then Serbian province of Kosovo towards the end of the 1990s, leading to intervention by NATO military forces.
Read also:
The Serbian Soccer Association is closely monitoring the situation, as potential penalties from UEFA could impact their participation in future tournaments, such as the European Championship in 2028. The situation has sparked calls for action from Serbian fans, who are hoping for a fair resolution.
If the conflicts between Croatia, Albania, and Serbia continue to escalate, it could potentially lead to the withdrawal of one or more teams from the ongoing European Championship. Fans from both Croatia and Albania have been vocal in their support of their national teams, leading to heated exchanges during matches.
UEFA has been urged to intervene and take appropriate action against the football federations of Croatia and Albania, to ensure a peaceful and fair environment at the European Championship. Germany, as a host nation, has expressed concern over the situation and has called for unity and sportsmanship among all participating teams.
The potential expulsion of Serbia from the 2028 European Championship is causing anxiety among Serbian football fans, who are already mourning the loss of their team's chances in the current tournament due to the alleged misconduct of some supporters. In Hamburg, German fans have even started singing a fan song in support of Serbian fans, hoping to bring unity and solidarity in the face of adversity.
Meanwhile, Serbia's National Coach, Dragan Stojkovic, is caught between a rock and a hard place. He needs to focus on leading the team to victory in order to advance to the knockout stage, but also needs to address the national sentiment surrounding the ongoing conflict.
In light of the current situation, many are calling for a renewed effort to promote peace and understanding between the competing nations, using the platform of the European Football Championship to bridge divides rather than exacerbate them.
