The Serbian Football Association (FSS) has thrown Euro 2024 into potential turmoil after lodging a bombshell official complaint with FIFA and threatening to pull its national team out of the tournament altogether.
The dramatic move comes in response to what the FSS describes as the English FA's abject failure to control its own supporters during the Three Lions' opening group match against Serbia in Gelsenkirchen.
A Formal Accusation
In a scathing letter addressed to FIFA's disciplinary chief, the Serbian body levelled serious accusations against its English counterparts. The core of the complaint centres on alleged "vile," politically charged anti-Serbian chanting from a section of the England support, which the FSS claims created a "toxic atmosphere" at the Veltins-Arena.
The FSS statement was unequivocal: “We will demand from FIFA to impose disciplinary measures against the FA… and if they do not punish them, we will suggest to the management of the FSS to consider the possibility of withdrawing from the tournament.”
Tuchel's Comments Fuel the Fire
Further inflaming the situation, the Serbian FA also took aim at high-profile figures commenting on the incident. The complaint specifically mentioned former Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel, who was working as a pundit.
The FSS expressed outrage that Tuchel allegedly downplayed the severity of the chants during his television analysis, suggesting his comments were inflammatory and misinformed.
The Chants in Question
While the specific lyrics were not detailed in the formal complaint, reports suggest the chants referenced historical and political conflicts, crossing the line from passionate support into deeply offensive territory. The FSS argues that such behaviour violates FIFA's statutes on discrimination and the protection of the sport's integrity.
The English FA is now under intense pressure to respond to the allegations as world football's governing body assesses the formal complaint. The threat of a Serbian withdrawal, while extreme, adds a significant layer of gravity to the proceedings and could have major repercussions for the tournament's structure.
