Serbia Hit With Stadium Ban as UEFA Issues Heavy Fines

Serbia will play their next home game behind closed doors after UEFA punished the country’s football federation over racist and discriminatory behaviour by fans, and it has also hit them with a string of fines.

UEFA confirmed the decision on Friday. Serbia will host Germany on November 13 in an empty stadium. The ban comes after trouble in the stands during two Nations League games in September, away to Greece on September 24 and then against the Netherlands three days later. Serbia lost both matches 2-1.

The federation was fined €50,000 for the racist and discriminatory behaviour at those two games. It must also pay €22,500 for fans sending messages that were not suitable for a sports event, €15,000 for a pitch invasion and €2,000 for letting off fireworks.

There is more to come from a separate case. UEFA looked at the October 4 game against the Netherlands, which Serbia also lost 2-1, and found more racist and discriminatory behaviour from the crowd. That brought another €20,000 fine. Serbia were also given a ban on selling tickets to away fans for one future away game, but that has been suspended for two years. A further €20,000 was added for another inappropriate message sent by fans.

The off-field problems come at a bad time for the team. Serbia have lost four games in a row and sit bottom of Nations League Group A2, so the risk of relegation is growing. Coach Veljko Paunovic is under heavy pressure to turn things around.

Serbia now have to get ready for the Germany game without their own fans behind them, and it is not yet clear how the players will cope.