Scandal has rocked the Serbian national team just days before their crucial Euro 2024 clash, with reports emerging of a physical altercation involving goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic and a fan. Serbia’s early exit from the tournament has already left fans and analysts frustrated, and this incident only adds to the team’s woes.
Serbia’s Disappointing Euro 2024 Campaign
Serbia’s Euro 2024 journey began with high hopes but quickly turned into a nightmare. The team faced a tough group, competing against England, Slovenia, and Denmark. They lost their opening match 1-0 to England and managed only draws against Slovenia (1-1) and Denmark (0-0). These results saw them finishing at the bottom of Group C, leading to an early elimination from the tournament.
The Alleged Altercation
The controversy centers around Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, who was reportedly involved in a physical fight with a fan at a bar in Munich. The Torino goalkeeper, who didn’t play a minute during the Euros, was confronted by a supporter during a day off before Serbia’s final group game. According to the Serbian outlet Telegraf, the altercation occurred at a bar popular among Serbians.
Accounts of the incident vary. The bar manager claimed that security didn’t recognize Milinkovic-Savic and initially refused him entry because he was wearing national team shorts. This led to a confrontation that escalated into a fight. However, international manager Dragan Stojkovic has denied any reports of fights within the team’s camp or elsewhere. The Serbian FA has yet to comment on the matter.
Manager’s Response
Stojkovic, while denying any fights involving his players, expressed pride in his team’s efforts. He questioned the quality of their Group C opponents, particularly England, suggesting that expectations of their dominance were unfounded.
“Everyone thought England might be some miracle from another planet but they were nothing like that,” Stojkovic told reporters. “The expectations were just different.”
Reflecting on Serbia’s performance, he added, “We are disappointed that we failed to take the step we were missing. [The final game against Denmark] was even, we were looking for a chance and a goal, but unfortunately, we didn’t succeed. I am proud of my boys. Serbia showed themselves positively in a very even group.”
Looking Ahead
Despite the scandal and disappointing performance, Stojkovic remains optimistic about the future. He thanked the Serbian fans for their unwavering support and urged them to stay proud of the team.
“Serbia fans should be proud of this team. We were fighting until the last second, and I am grateful to the supporters for cheering us on brilliantly in all three games,” he said.
The incident involving Milinkovic-Savic is a blemish on what has been a challenging tournament for Serbia. As they look to rebuild and focus on future competitions, the team will need to address both on-field and off-field issues to avoid similar controversies.
