England Prepares for Racism Risks in Serbia World Cup Qualifier

England captain Harry Kane has confirmed that the team has discussed UEFA's three-step protocol for dealing with racist abuse ahead of their World Cup qualifier against Serbia in Belgrade. The match will take place at the Rajko Mitic Stadium, where capacity has been reduced by 15% due to previous fan misconduct and racist incidents. The Serbian Football Association (FSS) has been fined multiple times for discriminatory behavior and has urged fans to support the national team respectfully. Kane emphasized that while the players are prepared to follow UEFA protocols, including potentially leaving the pitch if necessary, their primary focus remains on the game itself. England previously faced racist abuse in the Balkans during trips to Montenegro and Bulgaria, with Kane leading the team in those matches. Both Kane and England coach Thomas Tuchel expressed hope that the game will be played in a respectful and sportsmanlike manner without incident.