Harry Kane Urges Players to Follow Referee’s Instructions in the Face of Racism at Euro 2024

Harry Kane has been told to ensure England’s players adhere to the referee’s instructions should their Euros opener with Serbia be marred by racism.

Fans of the Three Lions’ opponents have a history of disturbing incidents and UEFA have reminded officials of their three-step protocols ahead of the tournament kick-off.

A delegation from the governing body visited each country, with England and their captain spoken to at St George’s Park before they headed to Germany.

While FA bosses are keen to ensure that the focus is on football preparation, staff will monitor the situation from the stands.

The match has been designated as ‘high risk’ and will be the only one in the tournament at which there will be alcohol restrictions, with fans served only low-strength, 2.8 per cent beer.

Serbia fans have history of disturbing incidents and UEFA have reminded officials of their three-step protocols

In November, Serbia were ordered to play their qualifier against Bulgaria in a partially closed stadium after racist behaviour from fans during a 3-1 win over Montenegro.

At the last World Cup, in Qatar, Serbian fans displayed fascist slogans and aimed racist chants towards ethnic Albanians during their side’s match against Switzerland, while in 2019, Serbia were ordered to play a game behind closed doors following similar behaviour at 4-2 defeat by Portugal in Belgrade.

Two years previously, Partizan Belgrade’s Brazilian midfielder Everton Luiz was reduced to tears after being the subject of monkey chants and other abuse from fans of rivals FK Rad.

Experienced Italian Daniele Orsata, 48, has been appointed referee for the Gelsenkirchen clash and will be central to any response should any incident be reported.

UEFA has a three-step process in the event of any racism. Should the referee become or be made aware of racist behaviour he will stop the game. An announcement will then be made over the public address system asking fans to immediately stop any racist behaviour.

Should the announcement fail to have the desired effect, the ref will then suspend the match for what UEFA deem a ‘reasonable period of time, for example five to 10 minutes’. Both sides will go to the dressing rooms and another announcement will be made over the PA system.

Experienced Italian Daniele Orsata has been appointed as the chief official for the match

The final step of the three-step protocols that officials have been given is the abandonment of the  game

The final step – if the racist behaviour continues after a second restart – is the abandonment of the match. A UEFA delegate will be in the stadium and will liaise with the official to determine whether the racist behaviour has stopped. Such a decision will only be taken ‘after all other possible measures have been implemented and the impact of abandoning the match on the security of the players snd public has been assessed’.

The case would then be referred to UEFA’s disciplinary authorities who would be tasked with reaching a verdict.

Earlier this week FA chief executive Mark Bullingham disclosed that the body was funding police in an attempt to bring those who abuse England players on social media to justice, after the sickening targeting of black players following the Euros final in 2021.