Serbia FA threatens to quit Euros if UEFA does not punish Croats and Albanians over chants

Croatian fans wave a Croatian flag during their UEFA Euro 2024 Group B match against Albania at the Volksparkstadion in Hamburg on Jun.19, 2024. (AFP)

Short Url

https://arab.news/2q4he

Updated 20 June 2024

June 20, 2024 17:05

Serbia FA threatens to quit Euros if UEFA does not punish Croats and Albanians over chants

“We will ask UEFA for sanctions, even at the cost of not continuing the competition,” Serbia Football Association general secretary Jovan Surbatovic said
The Serbia FA condemned the “shameful racist behavior” of the Albanian and Croatian fans and said the match should have been suspended

Updated 20 June 2024

June 20, 2024 17:05

BELGRADE: Serbia soccer officials threatened to quit the European Championship after they were offended by fan chants reportedly heard during the Albania-Croatia match.
The game on Wednesday ended 2-2 in Hamburg.
Serbia started their second group match against Slovenia on Thursday afternoon in Munich.
“What happened is scandalous and we will ask UEFA for sanctions, even at the cost of not continuing the competition,” Serbia Football Association general secretary Jovan Surbatovic said.
“We will request UEFA to punish the federations of both teams. We don’t want to participate in that, but if UEFA doesn’t punish them, we will think about how to proceed.”
In a separate statement on Thursday, the Serbia FA condemned the “shameful racist behavior” of the Albanian and Croatian fans and said the match should have been suspended as soon as the chants started.
“Such insulting of a nation with cries that they should be killed has not been seen at sports events for a long time,” the statement added.
UEFA was yet to react.
The animosity between Croatian and Albanian fans toward the Serbs, and vice versa, dates to the 1990s wars in the Balkans.
Serbian fans are notorious for their chants against the Croats and Albanians as well as racist shouts and vocal support of convicted war criminals responsible for the deaths of tens of thousands during the bloody breakup of the former Yugoslavia.
UEFA fined the Albanian and Serbian federations 10,000 euros ($10,700) each after their first group matches for fans displaying banners with nationalist maps.
Each federation is responsible for the conduct of its fans, and UEFA charged Serbia and Albania with “transmitting provocative messages not fit for a sports event.”
Albania fans displayed a banner with a map of their country extending its borders into the territory of neighboring countries. It was shown on Saturday during the 2-1 loss against Italy in Dortmund.
A Serbia fans banner included the territory of Kosovo, a former Serbian province that declared independence in 2008, and a slogan, “No Surrender,” in the 1-0 loss against England in Gelsenkirchen.
UEFA has also launched an investigation into claims of monkey chants aimed at England players during the clash.

Kylian Mbappe’s representatives say reports footballer faces rape probe are ‘false’ and a ‘slanderous rumor’

Updated 15 October 2024

Reuters

October 15, 2024 20:34

Kylian Mbappe’s representatives say reports footballer faces rape probe are ‘false’ and a ‘slanderous rumor’

Swedish public broadcaster SVT and dailies Expressen and Aftonbladet, citing unnamed sources, reported that Mbappe, 25, was a suspect in the case
Mbappe’s representatives at PR firm Patricia Goldman said: “These accusations are totally false and irresponsible, and their propagation is unacceptable”

Updated 15 October 2024

Reuters

October 15, 2024 20:34

STOCKHOLM/PARIS: Allegations of rape against French footballer Kylian Mbappe are “totally false” and “a slanderous rumor,” his representatives said on Tuesday, following media reports that he was the subject of an investigation over an incident in a Stockholm hotel on Oct. 10.
Swedish prosecutors confirmed in a statement in response to the media coverage that a probe into an alleged rape at a hotel in central Stockholm had been opened, but did not identify a suspect.
Swedish public broadcaster SVT and dailies Expressen and Aftonbladet, citing unnamed sources, reported that Mbappe, 25, was a suspect in the case.
“A new slanderous rumor is starting to ignite the web,” a statement sent to Reuters by Mbappe’s representatives at PR firm Patricia Goldman said. “These accusations are totally false and irresponsible, and their propagation is unacceptable.
“Kylian Mbappe will under no circumstances tolerate his integrity, reputation and honor being sullied by unfounded insinuations.”
Mbappe posted a link to a French media story on the matter on X and wrote: “Fake News!!!!“
The France national team captain and Real Madrid forward had been on a private trip to the Nordic country’s capital last week with a group of friends, Swedish media reported.
Mbappe and his friends left Sweden on Friday Oct. 11. A report of the allegations against Mbappe was made to police by an unidentified victim the following day, Expressen and daily Aftonbladet reported.
“In response to media reports about a suspected rape in Stockholm, the prosecutor can confirm that a criminal report has been submitted to the police,” the Swedish Prosecution Authority said in a statement on Tuesday.
Reuters could not independently confirm the identity of the alleged victim or the circumstances surrounding the alleged assault.
Senior Prosecutor Marina Chirakova declined to comment further when reached by Reuters.
SVT and tabloid Expressen, citing unnamed sources, reported that the level of suspicion directed at Mbappe by investigators was “reasonable” — the lower of the two levels in the Swedish legal system. The higher level, “probable suspicion,” is usually required to have a suspect remanded in custody.
Mbappe trained with his Real Madrid teammates on Tuesday. The club did not immediately respond when asked if they were aware of the investigation and whether it had been contacted by the Swedish authorities.

Topics: Kylian Mbappé France Sweden rape

France will host Israel in the Nations League ‘under usual conditions,’ French authorities say

Updated 15 October 2024

October 15, 2024 16:58

France will host Israel in the Nations League ‘under usual conditions,’ French authorities say

The match at the Stade de France on Nov. 14 will be played “under the usual conditions for a Nations League match and will of course be open to the public”
Italy beat Israel 4-1 in the Nations League on Monday

Updated 15 October 2024

October 15, 2024 16:58

PARIS: Israel’s Nations League soccer match against host France next month will take place in “usual conditions,” French authorities said Tuesday, a day after Italy hosted Israel in the same competition without incident despite security concerns.
Laurent Nuñez, the Paris police prefect, said in a statement that the match at the Stade de France on Nov. 14 will be played “under the usual conditions for a Nations League match and will of course be open to the public.”
Italy beat Israel 4-1 in the Nations League on Monday, with the game being played against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East which has spread to Lebanon after more than a year-long war in Gaza.
It was the first match Israel have played outside neutral Hungary this year. After the Israel-Hamas war started on Oct. 7 last year, the national soccer team played in Kosovo and Andorra last November.
All Israel matches since then have been in Hungary, including last month’s game against Belgium in the Nations League after the Belgian Football Association refused to host the game for security reasons.

Topics: War on Gaza Israel France Nations League

Tuchel ‘agrees deal’ to become England manager — reports

Updated 3 min 27 sec ago

AFP

October 15, 2024 16:10

Tuchel ‘agrees deal’ to become England manager — reports

Tuchel, 51, has been out of work since leaving Bayern Munich at the end of last season.
The German would become just the third foreign manager of the Three Lions after Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello

Updated 3 min 27 sec ago

AFP

October 15, 2024 16:10

LONDON: Thomas Tuchel is set to be named England’s new manager after agreeing a deal with the Football Association, The Times reported on Tuesday.
Tuchel, 51, has been out of work since leaving Bayern Munich at the end of last season.
The German would become just the third foreign manager of the Three Lions after Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello.
Sky Sports also said Tuchel was in “pole position” to become Gareth Southgate’s long-term replacement.
The FA declined to comment on the reports but said that CEO Mark Bullingham will provide an update on Wednesday at Wembley Stadium.
Tuchel fits the remit of a “world-class coach who has won trophies,” which was outlined by England interim manager Lee Carsley after Sunday’s 3-1 Nations League win over Finland.
He has managed a number of Europe’s top clubs, also including Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain, but his greatest success came during his time in English football at Chelsea.
Tuchel led the Blues to Champions League glory just months after taking charge in 2021 and also won the UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup with the London club.
He was sacked in September 2022 in a bold early move by Chelsea’s new ownership group that did not pay off.
Just six months later he was appointed Bayern boss and led them to a 11th consecutive Bundesliga title.
However, Tuchel also oversaw the demise of Bayern’s dominance of German football in a first trophyless campaign last season for 12 years.
Carsley was put in temporary charge in August following Southgate’s resignation shortly after reaching the final of Euro 2024.
However, the 50-year-old, who stepped up from his role as under-21s manager, has since given mixed messages about whether he wanted the job on a permanent basis.
Carsley’s case was further damaged by a 2-1 Nations League defeat to Greece last week and he backed the idea of appointing a foreign coach if they are the right candidate.
“We’ve seen in the past that we’ve had different nationalities coach the team. The best candidate should get the job,” said Carsley.
“I think we’d be putting ourselves in a corner if we didn’t, and we didn’t open our minds a bit.”
Tuchel will inherit a richly talented generation of players, including Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Cole Palmer, that will be among the favorites for World Cup glory in 2026.
Southgate led the Three Lions to back-to-back Euros finals, plus a World Cup semifinal and quarter-final in his four major tournaments in charge.
England, though, are still yet to win a major tournament since the 1966 World Cup.

Topics: Thomas Tuchel Football Association England

Time for Mancini and Saudi Arabia to deliver in must-win World Cup qualifier clash against Bahrain

Updated 15 October 2024

John Duerden

October 15, 2024 09:11

Time for Mancini and Saudi Arabia to deliver in must-win World Cup qualifier clash against Bahrain

After last week’s 2-0 loss to Japan, the Green Falcons cannot afford another slip as they sit third in Group C of the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup

Updated 15 October 2024

John Duerden

October 15, 2024 09:11

LONDON: Saudi Arabia’s World Cup qualifier with Bahrain in Jeddah on Tuesday is just one out of 10 games for Roberto Mancini’s team in Group C but there is already a feeling that this is a must-win clash in more ways than one.

The first and biggest is that the Green Falcons need the points after a mixed start in the first three games of the third round of qualification. A 1-1 draw against Indonesia was followed by a 2-1 win over China in September.

And then, last week, Japan came to King Abdullah Sports City and went home with a 2-0 victory. As things stand, Saudi Arabia are third, level on four points with Australia in second, and Bahrain in fourth.

Only the top two qualify automatically for the World Cup while third and fourth advance to the next stage. Japan have nine and are surely heading for first place. Mancini admitted as such.

“We knew Japan were strong contenders to top the group, and now we will focus on competing with Australia for second place,” he said.

At this stage, the Italian will probably feel that his team are three points short. Mancini would have wanted and expected a win against Indonesia and a draw against Japan.

Had that been the case then they would have been three points clear of Australia. With the Socceroos playing in Japan on Tuesday and likely to lose, a win against Bahrain would have put Saudi Arabia six clear.

That would have been a fantastic position to be in but there is no point thinking too much about that now. The focus has to be on beating their neighbors and hoping they end Tuesday three points clear in second.

Mancini also needs a win and solid performance to lift the mood. Losing to Japan is no disgrace. The Samurai Blue are the best team in Asia by some distance, but their clear cohesion, identity and playing style was in contrast to that of Saudi Arabia’s.

Mancini, at just over a year in the job, has still to stamp his identity on the team and there are doubts as to whether he has the players really believing in his methods. Any sign of progress in this regard against Bahrain would be welcome.

Ever since the start of the year and the Asian Cup, there has not been much to shout about.

Before the tournament started Mancini dropped a bombshell. Veteran Salman Al-Faraj and Sultan Al-Ghannam were left out of the preliminary list, then goalkeeper Nawaf Al-Aqidi was excluded from the final squad.

The coach accused them of not wanting to play in friendly games. The Asian Cup ended at the last-16 stage with the boss leaving the pitch and heading down the tunnel before the penalty shootout against South Korea had ended.

It is fair to say that there has yet to be a really exciting, impressive or surprising performance under Mancini, the former English Premier League-, Serie A- and European Championship-winning coach.

His willingness to look outside the big clubs for talent and also trust in youth has been refreshing but he has complained on multiple occasions about the lack of playing time that several players are getting at their clubs.

“The only problem we have, three years ago all the Saudi players played every game,” he said. “Today, 50, 60 percent don’t play in the game and this is the only problem that we have.”

The coach has a point. There are players who have found themselves down the pecking order as their clubs have signed world-class foreign talent. This is especially evident at both ends of the pitch: goalkeepers and attackers.

Firas Al-Buraikan has been a regular for Al-Ahli and Abdullah Radif has played a reasonable amount for Al-Hilal, but Saleh Al-Shehri has had little time with Ittihad and Mohammed Maran has barely featured.

It is not ideal but it is what it is and Mancini’s job is to get the best out of what is available to him.

It has not happened yet. In three games, there have been three goals: one own goal and two set pieces. Against Japan, they played with an unfamiliar four-man defense, did not look like scoring and there were issues at the back but they were against a very good team.

Now this is Bahrain and fans will be less accepting of excuses.

Even so, Bahrain won in Australia in the opening game, sitting back to frustrate the Socceroos and then hitting on the counter, and that may well be their approach in Jeddah.

They later lost 5-0 at home to Japan and then needed a 99th-minute equalizer to draw 2-2 with Indonesia.

Compared to the passing and movement of the Samurai Blue, this is going to be a more physical test for Saudi Arabia and it should be one they are more suited to.

It has to be because one thing is for sure, this is a must-win game not just for the hopes of a top-two finish but for Mancini’s future in the job.

A scrappy 1-0 victory would be enough but a free-flowing performance and a convincing win would go down as well as the sun over the Red Sea.

Topics: Roberto Mancini The Green Falcons Saudi Green Falcons 2024 World Cup qualifiers

Leweling rockets Germany past Dutch and into Nations League quarterfinals

Updated 15 October 2024

AFP

October 15, 2024 01:22

Leweling rockets Germany past Dutch and into Nations League quarterfinals

A beaming Leweling told Germany’s ZDF network “we won as a team, I scored the 1-0, we won 1-0, but we did well and I’m just happy I could help out

Updated 15 October 2024

AFP

October 15, 2024 01:22

MUNICH, Germany: A 63-minute rocket from debutant Jamie Leweling gave Germany a 1-0 win over a limp Netherlands in Munich on Monday and a first appearance in the Nations League knockout rounds.
The Stuttgart forward was called off the bench after an injury to club teammate Deniz Undav in the warm-up.
Leweling had an early goal ruled out for the tightest of offsides before blasting in a loose ball from a Joshua Kimmich corner.
A beaming Leweling told Germany’s ZDF network “we won as a team, I scored the 1-0, we won 1-0, but we did well and I’m just happy I could help out.
“The Dutch are a top nation, but we played a good game nevertheless. We used the chances that we had well.”
Captain Kimmich told reporters the side were proud to overcome a long injury list.
“There were just three players on the field in comparison to five weeks ago against Holland (a 2-2 draw in the Netherlands), that’s why we are proud of what we did.
“You could see how happy we are, how proud we are of the performance today.
“We had lots of new players, some young players, unfortunately lots of injuries but you didnt notice much of a difference.
“Jamie had an outstanding debut — it’s not often the Allianz Arena gives you a reception like that — he did well.
Oliver Baumann, at 34 the oldest debutant goalie in Germany history, pulled off a spectacular save from Donyell Malen in the final minute to protect Germany’s victory.
The Netherlands, missing suspended captain Virgil van Dijk, were poor until the dying stages. They stayed second in the group but only on goal difference ahead of Hungary, who beat Bosnia 2-0.
Before the match, the hosts bid farewell to international veterans Manuel Neuer, Thomas Mueller, Ilkay Gundogan and Toni Kroos, who have all stepped down since the home Euros in the summer.
Since starting his reign one year ago to the day with a 3-1 away win over the United States, coach Julian Nagelsmann has been willing to ignore big names in favor of in-form players.
Injuries to key players including Jamal Musiala, Kai Havertz and Marc-Andre Ter Stegen forced Nagelsmann into seven changes, the injury to Undav, who scored both goals in Germany’s win over Bosnia on October 11, forced a last-minute reshuffle.
The coach gave Leweling and Oliver Baumann their first caps, while Aleksandar Pavlovic and Angelo Stiller started for the first time.
Leweling appeared to have started his Germany career perfectly when he gave the hosts the lead after just two minutes, but a lengthy video review found Serge Gnabry offside in the build-up.
Despite pressing the Dutch into a series of mistakes playing out from goal, Germany failed to carve another clear opportunity in the first half.
The visitors posed little threat to debutant Baumann’s goal, failing to register a shot in the first half.
Leweling’s stunning strike jolted the match into life with just under half an hour remaining.
Xavi Simons rattled the crossbar late as the Dutch hinted at a possible comeback, with Malen also going close but failing to break through.

Topics: UEFA Nations League Germany The Netherlands Jamie Leweling

Serbia FA threatens to quit Euros if UEFA does not punish Croats and Albanians over chants

Serbia FA threatens to quit Euros if UEFA does not punish Croats and Albanians over chants

UEFA fines Albania, Serbia $10,700 each for nationalist fan banners at Euro 2024 games

Germany ease past Hungary to reach last 16 at Euros

Kylian Mbappe’s representatives say reports footballer faces rape probe are ‘false’ and a ‘slanderous rumor’

Kylian Mbappe’s representatives say reports footballer faces rape probe are ‘false’ and a ‘slanderous rumor’

England lose to Greece as Carsley experiment backfires and France win without Mbappe

Tchouaméni’s proud to lead France against Israel in Nations League in Mbappé’s absence

France will host Israel in the Nations League ‘under usual conditions,’ French authorities say

France will host Israel in the Nations League ‘under usual conditions,’ French authorities say

FIFA orders legal review of Palestinian call to suspend Israel

FIFA defers decision on request to suspend Israel

Tuchel ‘agrees deal’ to become England manager — reports

Tuchel ‘agrees deal’ to become England manager — reports

Tuchel’s job safe for Arsenal tie, insist Bayern

Former England manager Gareth Southgate says he won’t coach in the next year

Time for Mancini and Saudi Arabia to deliver in must-win World Cup qualifier clash against Bahrain

Time for Mancini and Saudi Arabia to deliver in must-win World Cup qualifier clash against Bahrain

Classy Japan put a dent in Saudi Arabia’s World Cup hopes

Brazil snatch away win over Chile in World Cup qualifying, Messi’s Argentina draw

Leweling rockets Germany past Dutch and into Nations League quarterfinals

Leweling rockets Germany past Dutch and into Nations League quarterfinals

Ronaldo scores in Portugal’s Nations League win as Spain sink Denmark

Croatia extend Scotland’s losing streak

Latest updates

Taif governor receives Japanese consul general

‘Modernity Roots’ art exhibition merges Saudi past and present

Crown prince to lead Saudi delegation at GCC-EU summit in Brussels

Israeli army allegedly using Palestinians as human shields, New York Times reports

Body of missing student found as Turkiye grapples with femicides

Recommended

Israel’s strike on Ain Al-Hilweh camp stirs up grim memories for Palestinian refugees in Lebanon

Frankly Speaking: Can a new global coalition achieve Palestinian statehood?

Is Benjamin Netanyahu’s goal to drag the US into war with Iran?

Search form

Print Edition

Search form

Search form

You are here

Serbia FA threatens to quit Euros if UEFA does not punish Croats and Albanians over chants

Serbia FA threatens to quit Euros if UEFA does not punish Croats and Albanians over chants

Related

Kylian Mbappe’s representatives say reports footballer faces rape probe are ‘false’ and a ‘slanderous rumor’

Related

France will host Israel in the Nations League ‘under usual conditions,’ French authorities say

Related

Tuchel ‘agrees deal’ to become England manager — reports

Related

Time for Mancini and Saudi Arabia to deliver in must-win World Cup qualifier clash against Bahrain

Related

Leweling rockets Germany past Dutch and into Nations League quarterfinals

Related

Latest updates

Recommended

Search form

Print Edition