Euro 2024: Uefa investigating alleged racist chanting by Serbia fans during England match

UEFA have opened an investigation following allegations that Serbia fans racially abused England players with monkey chants during the teams’ Euro 2024 match in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday night.

England won the Group C game 1-0, but after the match UEFA received notice of the allegations, which did not come from the English FA. The chants were allegedly heard in the first half of the game.

A UEFA statement on Monday afternoon said an ethics and disciplinary inspector was now conducting “a disciplinary investigation regarding alleged discriminatory behaviour”.

UEFA are also investigating claims of the “throwing of objects” and “transmitting a provocative message unfit for a sports event”, which is thought to involve a nationalistic slogan printed on a national flag.

With regards to the throwing of objects, for which the Serbian FA has been charged, UEFA said: “The Uefa Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) will decide on the matter in due course.”

Six Serbian fans were arrested in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday for clashing with England supporters at a restaurant. One England fan has also been arrested, but whether it is linked remains unclear.

England’s meeting with Serbia had been designated by local authorities as a “high-risk” fixture. Only low-percentage alcohol was sold to fans ahead of the game at Veltins-Arena, which was settled by Jude Bellingham’s first-half header.