Serbia fan ‘targeted England players with monkey taunts’
Serbia fans
Uefa has opened an investigation into alleged monkey-chanting by a Serbia fan during their Euro 2024 defeat by England.
European football’s governing body appointed a disciplinary inspector to look into the accusation made in a report by an anti-discrimination observer at the match.
It is unclear when the alleged offence took place in a game England won by virtue of Jude Bellingham’s 13th-minute header.
The Football Association of Serbia was also charged over the country’s supporters displaying ultra-nationalist banners during the match and for the throwing of objects.
The former prompted a complaint from the Football Federation of Kosovo, the nation to which the banners were allegedly directed.
But it was the prospect of monkey chants being directed at one or more of their black players that will be of most concern to England.
Members of Gareth Southgate’s squad have previously been subjected to racist chanting, which have led to punishments including matches being played behind closed doors.
Sunday’s game between England and Serbia was the countries’ first at senior level but two previous games between their Under-21 teams were marred by racism.
The first, in 2007, witnessed racist chanting and a flare-up between players that saw both nations fined, while the second five years later was engulfed by monkey-chants directed at Danny Rose, missiles being thrown from the stands and a mass brawl on the pitch that led to bans being imposed on players and coaches from either side – including Tom Ince.
Telegraph Sport has also been told that England fans were singing ‘10 German Bombers’ on the concourse of the Arena AufSchalke.
Anti-discrimination observers have previously reported the chant to Uefa when it has been sung at matches having deemed it to be “ultra-nationalist”.
But action has yet to be taken against the Football Association over a song it has tried and failed to stamp out of the England fanbase.
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