Kane: England Must Be Ready For Racist Harassment Opportunities In Serbia

Harry Kane doesn't want to think about the potential for racist harassment when England travel to Serbia in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers (Instagram/@england).

JAKARTA - Harry Kane has confirmed the England players held a meeting to discuss their response to possible racist abuse in Serbia.

The captain further said they would follow UEFA protocol if an incident appeared during the European Zone 2026 World Cup Qualifiers on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, early morning WIB, in Belgrade.

"We had a meeting and we discussed protocols from UEFA's point of view. I don't think we want to talk about it too much. Our focus is on the game. Our focus is on trying to beat Serbia."

"We are thinking about football, games, as the Serbian Football Federation has issued, is about enjoying, respecting, enjoying the game, and we hope that's the problem tomorrow," Kane said, who also mentioned the Serbian Football Federation's official statement.

The Serbian Football Federation (FSS) issued a statement asking their supporters for good behavior after a series of issues that caused fines amounted to more than 700.000 euros (approximately IDR 13.5 billion) in the past five years for various behaviors, insults, and discrimination directed from the stands during national team matches and other options.

When the two teams met at Euro 2024, UEFA investigated allegations of discriminatory singing by Serbian fans despite no complaints at the time coming from England.

Because of Serbia's track record, 15 percent of Rajiko Mitic Stadium will be closed at home to England for the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.

"We are still under UEFA's special monitoring. Any reaction, insult, or inappropriate incident could make us pay very expensive on track to the 2026 World Cup finals in the United States, Mexico, and Canada."

"That's my reason sincerely and seriously to call the fans, let's cheer from the heart, but let it be fair," said FSS Secretary General Branko Radujko's statement.

Kane is no stranger to the abuse experienced by his teammates. He was captain in October 2019 when England suffered racist abuse in Bulgaria.

Not surprisingly, he was immediately highlighted about the potential for racist harassment against Serbia and was bombarded with the question of whether he was ready to release the players in Serbia.

"We are ready to do what the UEFA protocol allows. These are difficult things to talk about now because we don't know if that will happen or not."

"However, in the end, as I said, we are ready. We are discussing as a group so that if the event happens, we will be ready to do what is necessary," said Kane again.

Similar support came from coach Thomas Tuchel. The German coach also did not want to talk too much about the statement issued by the FSS.

"I didn't (talk to the players about it), but the people responsible at the FA talked to us about it."

"We are aware. Still, I always believe in goodness. I always believe that we will have high-level sports competitions and celebrate what sport is for."

"We are aware of the protocol, but I don't want to put a big focus on it because I believe in the beauty of the sport and the beauty of the game. We can have a respectful and emotional match tomorrow," said Tuchel.

UEFA's three-step protocol when discrimination occurs during the game is to stop the game with a public warning, then suspend the game for a certain period of time, and the game can be abandoned if the situation does not change.