UEFA Launches Investigation Of Monkey Voice Aimed At English Players At Euro 2024

Serbian vs England match, loaded with racist actions from the audience (photo: Doc.uefa.com)

JAKARTA - UEFA has launched an investigation into claims that the monkey's voice was directed at British players during a 1-0 victory over Serbia. The European football regulatory body has appointed an inspector to conduct a disciplinary investigation into alleged discriminatory behavior following reports from eyewitnesses in the stands during the first half of the match at Gelsenkirchen on Saturday night, June 15.

In addition, the UEFA also charged the Serbian Football Federation with two violations of throwing objects and conveying provocative messages deemed "unsuitable for sporting events." The latter is linked to the display of flags connected to the paramilitary movement involved in ethnic cleansing during thetenuic war.

"In addition, an UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector will conduct a disciplinary investigation into alleged discriminatory behavior," said a UEFA spokesman.

The match was played in front of around 50,000 spectators, of which about 8,000 Serbian supporters were present at the stadium.

For additional information, before the match, officials spoke with England team and captain Harry Kane. Officials toured the continent before the tournament to remind each country of a three-step protocol if any racist behavior was identified and prompted the players to let the referee deal with the situation as part of a technical briefing. Serbia has a long history of disturbing incidents like this.

At Qatar's last World Cup, Serbian fans featured a fascist slogan and shouted racist chants against ethnic Albania during their match against Switzerland. Meanwhile in 2019, they were ordered to play one game without spectators following a similar behavior in Portugal's 4-2 defeat in Belgrade.

Two years earlier, Brazil's midfielder from Partiszan Belgrade, Everton Luiz, cried after becoming the subject of shouted monkey and other harassment from rival FK Rad.