Serbian Federation Sends Warning To Supporters Ahead Of The Match Against England

Serbia will host England in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers (doc. FSS).

JAKARTA - The Serbian Football Federation (FSS) has pleaded with supporters to behave well in the 2026 World Cup Qualification match against England on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, early morning WIB.

The 2026 European Zone World Cup Qualification Group K match will be held at the Rajko Mitic Stadium, Belgrade, where its capacity will decrease by 15 percent - around 8,100 seats - as a punishment for the negative behavior of supporters against Andora in June 2025.

The FSS was fined 50,000 Swiss francs (around Rp1 billion) by FIFA as a punishment for discrimination and racist harassment; order and security in matches; the use of movements, words, objects or other means of sending messages that are not appropriate for sporting events.

Local governments warned supporters after the sentence was imposed in July 2025 that any incident could lead to new FIFA sanctions, including next month's game against Albania played behind closed doors.

The FSS has sent another message ahead of England's arrival in Serbia.

"Our players will need strong support from the stands in that game and long lines from the first day of ticket sales show that the Eagles will have their 12th player."

"The Serbian Football Federation is under the scrutiny of UEFA and FIFA. The history of various incidents has made us subject to UEFA and FIFA disciplinary action. We ask supporters to send images to the world that will make us all proud."

"UEFA has long proclaimed a list of prohibited items (signs, symbols, flags, sounds, songs, political slogans, etc.) subject to strict sanctions and penalties," read the FSS statement.

FSS further highlighted a fine of 703,400 euros (around Rp13.6 billion) since 2021 by UEFA and FIFA for various incidents.

"The national team is our pride. We have nothing else and of course deserves support for this important match."

"We want to emphasize the importance and need of appropriate behavior that contributes to creating a positive stadium atmosphere."

"Therefore, let's unite in our love of football, support our national team in the right way, and show respect for their country's opponents and national anthems."

"Let the match with England be a celebration of sport and respect among rivals and nations," read the FSS statement again.

Britain was traveling to Serbia for the first time since becoming an independent country in 2006.

In 2012, UEFA ordered Serbia U-21 to play a closed match due to inappropriate behavior from supporters, particularly racist behavior, in the 2013 Euro U-21 playoff against England in Krusevac.