UEFA fined the Serbian soccer federation 52,000 euros ($56,500) on Friday due to fan misconduct, which included booing Switzerland’s national anthem and displaying an anti-Kosovo banner.
UEFA stated that its disciplinary panel also charged Serbia for fan discrimination during the Nations League match against Switzerland on October 12, which was attended by state president Aleksandar Vucic in Leskovac.
Matches between Serbia and Switzerland have been tense due to political issues, especially in the last two World Cups. Switzerland’s captain Granit Xhaka has family ties to Kosovo, which has led to heightened emotions.
Serbia does not recognize the independence that Kosovo declared in 2008, and the Serbian soccer federation had warned fans against bringing unauthorized banners to the game.
UEFA prohibits political messages at sports events and charged Serbia for sending “a message that is not fit for a sports event.”
Additionally, Serbia will have a two-year probation period, and if there is another offense, UEFA will close a section of the stadium for one match.
UEFA also took action against Hungary for discriminatory chants from their fans by banning ticket sales to them for a Nations League match in the Netherlands.
Hungary and Bosnia-Herzegovina were charged with “racist or discriminatory behavior” during their Nations League match last month in Zenica.
Hungary’s penalties included a ticket-sales ban that had been put on hold due to similar incidents by fans at European Championship matches in Germany last June.
As a result, the Hungarian federation cannot sell tickets to fans for a game in Amsterdam on November 16, according to UEFA, which also imposed a new probationary ticket-sales ban.
UEFA fined Hungary 20,000 euros ($21,700) for discrimination and an additional 14,500 euros ($15,700) for fans setting off fireworks.
The Bosnian federation has to close a section of its stadium when it hosts the Netherlands on November 19. UEFA also fined Bosnia 25,000 euros ($27,000) for the discriminatory actions of its fans.
