BELGRADE (Reuters) -England’s players have held internal discussions about how they will respond if subjected to racist abuse during Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier away to Serbia, captain Harry Kane has said, amid concerns over fan behaviour in Belgrade.
The Football Association of Serbia (FSS) has appealed to supporters in a statement to “create a positive atmosphere” and “to send out an image to the world that will make us all proud.”
“We had a meeting and we discussed the protocols that are in place, more from UEFA’s point of view, (but) I don’t think we like to discuss it too much,” Kane told reporters on Monday.
“Our focus is on the game. Our focus is on trying to beat Serbia on the pitch.
“Anything can happen, of course, and we’re prepared for that but we’re thinking about the game and, like the (statement) Serbian FA put out, it’s about enjoying the spectacle, enjoying the game, and we hope that’s the case tomorrow.”
The FSS appeal came after UEFA ordered 15% of the 50,000 seats at Rajko Mitic Stadium be closed on Tuesday as punishment for racist behaviour by Serbia fans against Andorra in June.
England players were the target of racist abuse in a Euro 2020 qualifying game in Bulgaria that was stopped twice as officials threatened to abandon the match. England won 6-0
“I thought we handled that situation away in Bulgaria really well, and (Tuesday) will be no different,” said Kane.
“These are things that are hard to talk about now because we don’t know if it’s going to happen or not.
“But ultimately, in the event it does happen, we’ll be prepared to do what is necessary.”
TOUGHEST TEST
Victory on Tuesday would put Thomas Tuchel’s England team, who lead Group K with four wins from four games, a step closer to qualifying for next year’s finals.
However, it is their toughest test so far.
Beyond the hostile environment expected in Belgrade, Serbia are England’s highest-ranked opponents in the group at 32.
While Tuchel’s fourth-ranked side have yet to concede a goal, their victories have been underwhelming. They needed an own goal to open the scoring during their 2-0 win over Andorra on Saturday, a nation ranked 170 places below them.
“Let’s see how the game plays out,” Tuchel said.
“We prepare for everything, we’re in a very emotional sporting country – they have world class sportsmen, amazing talents in football – and will have quality.
“Our first away game together in a traditional stadium. I think the occasion will bring out the best in us.”
Tuchel added that everyone, including defender Marc Guehi who was doubtful after suffering a sore groin against Andorra, is available to start on Tuesday.
Asked about the potential for racism, Tuchel said UEFA had discussed protocols with the squad.
“I always believe in the good and believe we will have a high-level sporting occasion,” the German said.
“I don’t want to put a focus on it because I believe in the beauty of the sport and the beauty of the game.”
England’s only previous meeting with Serbia was a 1-0 group stage win at Euro 2024.
Nigeria’s Technical Director, Augustine Eguavoen, has admitted South Africa will be a tough challenge, but the plan for his team is clear ahead of their crucial FIFA World Cup qualifier.
Check Out: Nigeria Legend: South Africa Is In Trouble
The Super Eagles take on Bafana Bafana on Tuesday evening in a game that holds big significance for both sides.
Hugo Broos’ side currently holds a six-point lead over third-placed Nigeria at the top of Group C, and a win for South Africa would take them one step closer to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Despite uncertainty about whether South Africa would be docked any points for fielding Teboho Mokoena when he was supposed to serve a suspension, the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) winners are still in a strong position.
Eguavoen has admitted that the team has a lot of respect for South Africa, but that has not deterred them from their goal – to take all three points, Pan-Africa Football reported.
“We have no choice but to win,” he declared.
“We respect South Africa, but we are gunning for three points, simple as that,” Eguavoen said.
Nigeria played themselves back into contention with a tough 1-0 victory over Rwanda, and he reiterated the importance of beating South Africa.
“We have played a couple of times. It can go either way, but this is a different game,” he said.
Check Out: Nigeria Boss: We Still Have A Chance
“It’s a World Cup qualifier, so the weight behind it is massive. We all know what we want. South Africa has gone for it, a respected and good team,” the Director concluded.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Major League Soccer has suspended Inter Miami forward Luis Suárez for three league matches, meaning he will miss his team’s rematch of the heated Leagues Cup final against the Seattle Sounders next week.
The suspension was in response to Suárez’s on-field antics, which included spitting at someone, after Inter Miami lost the Leagues Cup final to the Sounders on Aug. 31. Leagues Cup also suspended Suárez for six future matches in its tournament.
MLS took action even though the melee that marred the finish of the Inter Miami-Seattle match wasn’t in one of its matches. The Leagues Cup is a separate competition.
Sounders coaching staff member Steven Lenhart had his credentials pulled by MLS for the remainder of the season for his role in the altercation, and the league said there’s no guarantee he will be credentialed next season. Lenhart, MLS said, “will only be permitted in public seating areas during Seattle Sounders FC home matches and cannot be on or near the field of play, nor in or around the locker rooms, or tunnel.”
The Sounders were also fined an undisclosed amount for misappropriation of credentials, MLS said.
The incident is the latest in a long line for Suárez, who has served suspensions on three occasions for biting opponents. The longtime teammate of Inter Miami star Lionel Messi appeared to spit toward a member of the Sounders’ staff and grabbed at least one Seattle player by the neck during a postgame melee.
Suárez apologized last week for his behavior, saying he “was wrong and I sincerely regret it.”
Exhibition at UN Palais des Nations in Geneva explores how Nazi Germany exploited soccer to spread ideology and persecute Jewish athletes, while also highlighting stories of resilience in ghettos and camps and the sport’s unresolved legacy of exclusion
Soccer-De Bruyne and Doku grab two each as Belgium hit Kazakhstan for six
Reuters |
Published on: Sept 08, 2025 02:23 am IST
SOCCER-WORLDCUP-BEL-KAZ/ (PIX):Soccer-De Bruyne and Doku grab two each as Belgium hit Kazakhstan for six
BRUSSELS, Sept 7 – Kevin De Bruyne underlined his talismanic role for Belgium with a stunning goal to break the deadlock and set his side on their way to a comfortable 6-0 win over Kazakhstan in their World Cup qualifier on Sunday.
Soccer-De Bruyne and Doku grab two each as Belgium hit Kazakhstan for six
It was threatening to become a frustrating night at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium for the Belgians before the 42nd-minute strike, but after that they were able to go on and register a comfortable victory with both De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku scoring twice.
Belgium have 10 points from four games in Group J, ahead of Wales on goal difference but trailing leaders North Macedonia, who beat Liechtenstein 5-0 earlier on Sunday, by a point. North Macedonia and Wales have played five matches each, however.
The group winners qualify automatically for next year’s World Cup while the runners-up go into a playoff.
Kazakhstan, who have now lost four of their five group games, defended stoutly initially and goalkeeper Mukhamedjan Seysen made several stops before a series of clever touches set up De Bruyne’s thumping shot into the top corner.
Leandro Trossard played an overhead flick to keep Belgium in possession and then Charles De Ketelaere backheeled the ball into De Bruyne’s path, followed by a typically powerful and accurate effort for his 33rd international goal.
Straight away Belgium doubled the lead with Doku hammering home a shot from the left to send them into the break 2-0 up.
Belgium went further ahead up in the 51st minute as captain Youri Tielemans’ cross to the back post was played back across the face of goal by Doku for Nicolas Raskin to touch home for his first international goal.
Doku grabbed his second on the hour mark with a burst of acceleration that took him past the defence before finding the net with a left-footed strike from an acute angle.
The 34-year-old De Bruyne added their fifth in the 84th minute after being set up by Alexis Saelemaekers.
Fullback Thomas Meunier’s strike three minutes later completed a second successive 6-0 win for the Belgians who did the same away against Liechtenstein on Thursday.
This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Kevin De Bruyne
Kazakhstan
Belgium
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News / Sports / Football / Soccer-De Bruyne and Doku grab two each as Belgium hit Kazakhstan for six
Ruby Gibbs taking one in the 13th minute and Nyah Smith following with a shot of her own in the 16th minute.
Both teams would have their share of scoring opportunities in the first half, and for ever push Lourdes made, Walcott had an answer. She stopped two separate Lourdes attacks, one in the ninth minute and one in the 32nd minute, and it remained a 0-0 game with just 13 minutes remaining before the halftime break. During the final 10 minutes of the quarter, the Cardinals would put together several chances in their offensive zone, looking to get on the scoreboard. The first of those pushes came in the 35th minute as Osorio got off her second shot of the contest, but missed the mark. Rosie Caley and Maria Alevato would each take shots down the stretch at the 42nd and 43rd minutes respectively. However, Lourdes put together one more push in the final minute of the half and, with just 12 seconds remaining before halftime, Walcott would come up with one more big save, keeping the game deadlocked at 0-0 heading into the break.
After taking the 15-minute break for halftime, the Cardinals would come out aggressive, taking the first three shots of the new half. Lily Hanna would get the first shot off just 30 seconds into the new half and thirty seconds later Caley would add her second shot of the day that went wide. The third shot would be the one that went into the back of the net for the Cardinal’s first goal of the season. The strike came courtesy of Kaitlyn Osorio, who was able to sneak pass the Panther’s defense and get her team on the board for a 1-0 advantage. The lead wouldn’t last long as Lourdes pushed up on the next possession and netted their first goal of the day to tie things at 1-1. It brought things back to a statemate and it would come down to the final 35 minutes of play to see who would be the team to overtake. Lourdes defense stiffened, allowing just three Cardinal shots down the stretch, and the Panthers would take advantage.
With 36 minutes to go in the game, Lourdes would take their first lead of the day, making it a 2-1 affair. Lourdes would continue to push the ball up field, but Walcott came through with saves in the 13th and 18th minutes to keep it a one-goal game. In the 26th minute, Lourdes would come through with the goal that put the nail in the coffin, making it a 3-1 game. As the time ticked away, Wheeling would move up and push the issue with two shots in the final 12 minutes of play. Ana Santos would be the first Cardinal to take the shot, coming in the 12th minutes, but was denied by the Lourdes defense. Wheeling made one more push in the ninth minute as Vanessa Dagher brought the ball up the field. She would send the ball towards the net, but was denied once again by the defense. It would be the final shot of the day for the Cardinals as they fell 3-1 to move to 0-2 on the season.
Leading the way for the Cardinals was Kaitlyn Osorio, who notched the first Cardinals goal of the season. She would lead the team, taking three shots and putting all three of those shots on net. Rosie Caley would be the other Cardinal to take two multiple shots, taking two on the day. Lily Hanna, Maria Alevato, Ruby Gibbs, and Vanessa Dagher would each take shots to round out the offense. Akyla Walcott got her First start in net as a Cardinal and made eight saves on 11 shots faced.
The Wheeling University Women’s Soccer team returns to action on Saturday, September 13th, when they traveled to Point Park at noon.
