Serbia Charged by FIFA for Team, Fans Conduct at World Cup

Serbia was disciplined by FIFA on Monday for alleged player and crowd misconduct, including obscene chanting at a World Cup game against Switzerland.

In a replay of their turbulent meeting from the 2018 World Cup that reignited ethnic rivalries in the Balkans, tensions rose in the crowd and on the field.

Granit Xhaka led Switzerland, which defeated Serbia 3-2 in the match on Friday. Xherdan Shaqiri scored the game's first goal. Both Swiss athletes have family ties to Kosovo, which gained independence from Serbia in 2008, and Albanian ancestry. Serbia rejects Kosovo's claim to sovereignty.

FIFA could not disclose whether events at Stadium 974 gave rise to allegations of "misconduct of players and officials," "misconduct of players and officials," and "discrimination."

When Shaqiri was being verbally abused by Serbia fans during the first half, they were shouting anti-Kosovo chants.

When the referee chose not to review a claim for a penalty kick using video review in the second half, many Serbia players from the dugout encroached onto the pitch.

The governing body of soccer in the world, FIFA, provided no timeline for the disciplinary action. Any penalties could be imposed when Serbia next participates in competitive matches in a European Championship qualification group in March.