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Fans were heard yelling "murder the Serbs" during the Group B match at the Volksparkstadion, alluding to the historical hostility between the two countries stemming from the atrocities of World War II and the Balkan crises of the 1990s.

In response to insulting shouts heard during Croatia’s 2-2 draw with Albania on Wednesday, Serbia is thinking about pulling out of Euro 2024. Fans were heard yelling “murder the Serbs” during the Group B match at the Volksparkstadion, alluding to the historical hostility between the two countries stemming from the atrocities of World War II and the Balkan crises of the 1990s.

Jovan Surbatovic, the general secretary of the Football Association of Serbia, expressed outrage in an interview with state broadcaster RTS.

“What happened is scandalous, and we will ask UEFA for sanctions, even if it means not continuing the competition,” Surbatovic stated.

The incident comes after another scandal involving a Kosovan journalist whose accreditation was denied for gesturing to Serbian fans during their opening match against England, like an Albanian eagle.

UEFA has fined Serbia £12,250 for various offenses, including as throwing objects and flying a provocative banner about Kosovo, and has opened an inquiry into claims of racial abuse by Serbian fans towards England’s black players. In addition, Albania was fined and subject to disciplinary action after showing a map with enlarged boundaries during their opening game against Italy, which UEFA considered unsuitable for a sporting event. Suratovic expressed faith in UEFA’s handling of the events at the Croatia vs. Albania game. He declared, “We are confident that the fans will face consequences, as they have already reacted to our request to banish the so-called journalist from Albania from the competition.” Additionally, Surbatovic stressed that Serbia would seek penalties against the federations of both Croatia

The course of events in this case will be decided in the days ahead. Serbia will decide whether to stay in Euro 2024 or to withdraw based on UEFA’s measures and guarantees for participant safety and respect. This incident further emphasizes the necessity of ongoing initiatives to confront and mend historical scars, encouraging peacemaking and respect for one another. Although sports can bring people together, they can also highlight the divisions in our society. It can be difficult to turn these occurrences into chances for communication, comprehension, and eventually healing. Like any significant athletic tournament, Euro 2024 need to serve as a stage for promoting harmony and diversity. Vigilance, strong leadership, and a dedication to the principles of inclusiveness and respect are necessary to ensure this.

A clear reminder of the ongoing historical tensions in the Balkans is provided by the insulting chants during the Croatia-Albania game. The possibility of Serbia pulling out of Euro 2024 emphasizes how serious the problem is and how urgently UEFA needs to take action. It is hoped that this tragedy will result in greater measures against discrimination and a reaffirmation of the unifying force of sports, as the football world watches attentively.

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