England’s players are ‘very aware’ of the challenges they could encounter in Belgrade on Tuesday after previous internationals were subjected to racism during games against Serbia.
Arsenal’s new £60million signing Eberechi Eze confirmed that Thomas Tuchel’s squad will discuss protocols and potential actions were any of the travelling party subjected to abuse in the World Cup qualifier.
Serbia have been hit with a partial stadium closure of around 15 per cent after supporters were found to have engaged in racist behaviour in a victory over Andorra in June.
The country’s FA released a statement appealing for fans to ‘create a positive atmosphere’ and ‘send a message to the world that will make us all proud’ ahead of England’s arrival.
England’s Under 21s suffered ‘incessant’ racism during a game held in Krusevac, two hours south of Belgrade, 13 years ago. Danny Rose and Andros Townsend were among those to speak out about the ordeal, with several members of Serbia’s team and backroom staff handed bans.
UEFA also investigated alleged racist chanting towards England players in their group game at last year’s European Championship.
Eberechi Eze revealed England have discussed potential actions for if they are subjected to racial abuse when they take on Serbia on Tuesday
Danny Rose was one of several England players to be targeted by racist abuse during a youth international in 2012
The Serbian FA have urged supporters to ‘create a positive atmosphere’ for the visit of the Three Lions
‘I’d say we’re very aware of maybe some of the challenges that we may face out there,’ Eze said. ‘I think it’s something that internally we’ll decide and have conversations about.’
UEFA have fined the Serbian FA more than £600,000 in the last five years for a variety of transgressions, including discrimination from the stands at opposition.
‘The national team is our pride, we have no other, and it deserves support befitting such important matches,’ the statement read.
‘We wish to emphasise the value and need for support that contributes to creating a positive atmosphere at the stadium.
‘Let us be united in our love for football, support our national team in the right way, show respect for the opponent and their national anthem. Let the match against England be a celebration of sport and respect between rivals and nations.’
England’s Under 17s saw a match against Venezuela suspended for 50 minutes last week after alleged racist abuse.
Tuchel is mindful of the atmosphere at the Rajko Mitic Stadium. ‘It will be an emotional crowd I guess,’ he said.
‘We need to be ready for everything. We will have to adapt to the adversity and overcome adversity and let’s see what the pitch is like, how the game plays out.’
Pressed on whether he had seen the state of the pitch, Tuchel added: ‘Not yet. We expect… we are ready for everything.’
