Serbia ask fans to behave for England game, while Harry Kane is ‘prepared’

Serbia have called on “supporters to send out an image to the world that will make us all proud” as they prepare to host England in a World Cup qualifier.

At least 15% of Belgrade’s Rajko Mitic Stadium will be closed to home fans as a Fifa punishment for racist chanting in a game against Andorra.

A statement from the Serbian FA, external (FSS) said it has been fined more than £600,000 by Fifa and Uefa in the past five years.

The punishments were for “various prohibited items, insults, and discrimination in the stands”, it said.

Branko Radujko, the general secretary of the FSS, warned Serbia fans in the match programme before the England game that any transgressions could get them in more trouble.

“We are still under special monitoring of Uefa,” he wrote. “Every inappropriate reaction, insult or incident could cost us dearly on our path to the USA, Mexico and Canada, including the possibility of having to play a decisive match with Albania behind closed doors.

“That is the reason I sincerely and seriously call on you: let us cheer from the heart but let it be fair. We can be loud but dignified. Let our support be a source of strength, not a risk for the national team.”

England captain Harry Kane said: “We had a meeting and discussed the Uefa protocols that are in place. We don’t like to discuss it too much. Our focus is on the game. Anything can happen but we are not thinking about that.

“We are prepared to do what Uefa protocols allow us to do. I thought we handled it well in Bulgaria [in 2019]. We are prepared, had a discussion and if it [racist abuse] does happen we will be prepared to do what is necessary.”

Uefa’s three-point protocol asks referees to…

BBC Sport looks at the reasons for Serbia’s punishments – and the history of racism England have faced against Serbian national teams before.