Serbian fans BANNED from UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying game against Bulgaria despite being the hosts

Aleksandar Mitrović is vital for Serbia's qualification scoring 5 goals in 6 games.

Serbian fans BANNED from UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying game against Bulgaria despite being the hosts

Serbia fans clash against Montenegro fans during teams' Euro qualifier game (via KOHA)

The Serbian FA has decided to appeal against UEFA‘s sanction which forces the Serbian National team to play their final Euro qualifier – against Bulgaria – in an empty stadium. Alongside a stadium ban, UEFA also slapped a €90,000 fine towards Serbia’s FA.

Due to fans’ misconduct – alleged racism – during Serbia’s Euro qualifier game against Montenegro on the 17th of October, UEFA ordered Serbia to play their final game in the UEFA Euro qualifier in an empty stadium. Since then, the Serbian FA has proclaimed that they will appeal these sanctions using ‘all legal means’ necessary.

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They also released a statement that read:

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We will ask for a postponement or mitigation of it, in order to create the best possible atmosphere at the newly built stadium in Leskovac and provide full support to our national team.

The Serbian FA is no stranger to penalties. They’ve been fined €144,250 in their last two matches. Before the Montenegro game, Serbia had a limit on the number of fans allowed due to previous fan issues against Hungary in September.

In addition to fan problems, Serbia has faced UEFA fines of nearly €90,000 for not addressing ticket scalping. Montenegro also received sanctions due to fans’ misconduct, resulting in a ‘racist charge’ against their FA.

Serbia’s spot in the UEFA EURO 2024 is almost sealed

With 13 points in 7 games, Serbia need one more win to seal their spot in the UEFA EURO 2024. Currently second to Hungary in the table – with Hungary having a game in hand – Serbia is in an ideal position to qualify for their first-ever European Competition since the founding of the country in 2006. Further, with Aleksandar Mitrovic, they do believe they can do it now as the former Fulham man has been on fire during international duty.

Serbia's Aleksandar Mitrovic
Aleksandar Mitrovic has been ‘on fire’ for his country. (Source: B/R Football)

What stands in their way is Montenegro. The country is currently five points behind Serbia but has one game in hand. Their next two fixtures are ‘must-wins’ which could prove difficult as they will take on Hungary – current leaders – on the 19th of November as their final qualifier game. Montenegro also relies on Bulgaria to win against Serbia which seems at the moment as a farfetched dream due to the nation not having won a single game in the Euro Qualifiers.

With the next set of games set to take place in the November international break, both Serbia and Montenegro will be looking to make history as both nations have never made it to the UEFA EURO in their country’s history.

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