Harry Kane reveals what England are prepared to do if squad are subject to racist chants against Serbia

Harry Kane has insisted that England are prepared to follow UEFA protocol and walk off the pitch if there is any racist chanting during their match against Serbia.

The Three Lions continue their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign in Belgrade on Tuesday night, live on talkSPORT.

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Around 15 per cent of the Rajko Mitic Stadium will be closed to fans as punishment from FIFA for racist chanting against Andorra in June.

A Serbian FA statement released on Sunday revealed they have been fined €703,375 [£610,599] by FIFA and UEFA over the last five years.

This is due to ‘various prohibited items, insults, and discrimination in the stands during the matches’.

UEFA launched an investigation into claims of black England players being abused with monkey chants by Serbian fans at Euro 2024.

What has Harry Kane said?

Speaking exclusively to talkSPORT ahead of the match, captain Kane commented on how the squad will respond to any discrimination following a group meeting.

He remarked: “Yeah it was just a team meeting and where we learn the protocols from UEFA and what the kind of rules are if something does happen, what the players should do if something happens.

“And as always, it has to be discussed because there’s a possibility, but we don’t like to focus on it too much.

“Ultimately, we’re more focused on the game and what we can do on the pitch. If something does happen, we’re prepared for that.

“But, of course, it’s ifs and buts, so we hope it doesn’t. We don’t expect it to, but we’re prepared if it does.”

When asked if England will walk off the pitch should the squad face discriminatory abuse, Kane replied: “Well, yeah, that’s part of the UEFA protocol, so, yeah, we’ll decide that then and there.

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“Obviously, the ref will have a big part to play in that as well. And I think as players, you can only do kind of what you’re expected to do.

“It depends what happens tomorrow night, anything’s possible, so I’m not going to rule anything out.

“But ultimately, it’s not the main focus that everyone’s thinking about, but if something does happen, then yeah, we’ll see.”

Kane played at the Rajko Mitic Stadium in 2019 with Tottenham in their 4-0 Champions League win over Red Star Belgrade.

He recalled his experience at the 51,755-capacity ground and said: “It’s one of the most hostile places I’ve played at club level for sure.

“And we actually had a really good night that night, so we managed to silence the crowd a little bit. But I think tomorrow will be another step up.

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“I think Serbia vs England is probably the biggest game they’re going to have here and they’ll try and make it as difficult as they can for us.

“So, we need to be ready for that, but I like these challenges, I think the team likes playing in these sorts of atmospheres.

“If you get through it, there’s a sense of more togetherness I guess.

“That when you get through these challenges, that’s what builds you for tournament football and we hope we can have a special night tomorrow.”

Past issues of Serbia racism with England

In 2012, the Serbian U21 side had to play a match behind closed doors due to racist behaviour from fans against England.

The 2013 U21 Euros qualifying play-off second leg saw racist abuse aimed at Danny Rose that sparked a brawl between the two teams.

UEFA appealed against its own disciplinary panel sanctions after they were criticised for their leniency.

At the Euro 2024 match between England and Serbia, racist abuse is said to have been heard during the first half of the former’s 1-0 win.

Anti-discrimination observers from Fare, formerly Football Against Racism in Europe, were in attendance for the match.

Serbia were fined €14,500 for throwing objects and ‘transmitting a provocative message unfit for a sports event’.