FIFA has launched a disciplinary investigation into the national team Serbia for alleged misconduct by players and fans, including violent yelling during the 2022 World Cup match against Switzerland.
Tension flared in the stands and on the pitch in the rematch of the controversial 2018 World Cup match, which has revived ethnic rivalry in the Balkans. Switzerland won 3-2, simultaneously eliminating Serbia from the tournament.
The captain of the Swiss national team in the match on Friday was Xhaka Granitea Xherdan Shaqiri scored the first goal. Both Swiss players have ethnic Albanian roots and are related to Kosovo, which declared independence from Serbia in 2008. Serbia does not recognize Kosovo’s sovereignty.
FIFA did not specify which incidents at the 974 stadium led to allegations relating to “misconduct by players and officials”. Anti-Kosovo chants were heard by some Serbian fans, who even insulted Shaqiri in the first half.
Several Serbian reserves came onto the pitch in the second half when the referee failed to use the video preview to review the situation for a possible penalty.
FIFA, the governing body of world football, has not announced a timetable for the disciplinary case. The sanctions could be applied when Serbia play their next official matches, which will be in March in their UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying group.
