Harry Kane has confirmed that England have a plan if their players are racially abused by fans in Serbia during their World Cup qualifier.
England travel to Serbia in World Cup qualifierSerbian FA plead with fans for good behaviourKane confirms plan if players are racially abusedFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
The Serbian Football Association has pleaded with fans to be well-behaved for Tuesday's clash in Belgrade, which will see 15 per cent of Stadion Rajiko Mitic closed off after a series of problems in recent years. Now, Kane has revealed his England team-mates held a meeting to discuss their response if they are discriminated against.
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He told reporters, "We're prepared to do what UEFA protocols allow us to do. I thought we handled that situation away in Bulgaria really well. And it'll be no different. These are the things that are hard to talk about now, because we don't know if it's going to happen or not. But ultimately, like I said, we're prepared. We had a discussion as a group so that if in the event does happen, we'll be prepared to do what is necessary."
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The Serbian FA has been fined £608,000 in the last five years for "various prohibited behaviours, insults, and discrimination directed from the stands during matches of the senior national team and other selections". Kane was captain in 2019 when England suffered racist abuse in Bulgaria, and it seems they have contingency plans again.
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England take on Serbia on Tuesday night, more than a year on from when they met at Euro 2024. After that match, which the Three Lions won 1-0, UEFA investigated allegations of discriminatory chanting by Serbian fans. Many will hope for no controversy this time out.