England captain Harry Kane has revealed that the national team has put a clear plan in place to respond to any potential incidents of racist abuse during their upcoming World Cup qualifier against Serbia. With the match set for Tuesday in Belgrade, the Three Lions are preparing to ensure they handle any discrimination firmly and within official guidelines.
England ready to respond to abuse
The Serbian Football Association has urged its supporters to behave appropriately, with 15 percent of the Stadion Rajko Mitic already closed as punishment for repeated fan misconduct. Despite the plea, Kane confirmed that the England squad has proactively discussed how to react if players are subjected to racism during the game.
"We're prepared to do what UEFA protocols allow us to do," Harry Kane told reporters ahead of the clash. "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."
Serbia’s troubled record
The Serbian FA has been penalized heavily in recent years, paying fines totaling over £600,000 for repeated incidents of "prohibited behaviours, insults, and discrimination" directed at players during national team fixtures. UEFA has also investigated claims of discriminatory chanting by Serbian fans, including after England’s 1-0 victory over Serbia in Euro 2024.
Given this history, Tuesday’s qualifier carries a heightened sense of scrutiny. UEFA protocols allow players and officials to follow a three-step process in response to racist abuse, which could ultimately result in matches being abandoned if incidents persist.
Harry Kane’s leadership tested once again
Harry Kane previously captained England during their 2019 qualifier in Bulgaria, where racist abuse from the stands overshadowed the match. The team’s calm but firm response in that game set an example for handling such situations. With Serbia under pressure to avoid a repeat of past controversies, Kane’s leadership is once again pivotal in ensuring that his team is both mentally prepared and unified.
The Three Lions will look to focus on their football as they aim to secure a crucial World Cup qualifying victory, but Kane has made it clear: England are ready to take a stand if discrimination overshadows the pitch.