England stars have suffered racist abuse in the past when playing in Serbia, who are currently serving a punishment for racist behaviour by their fans
13:41, 08 Sep 2025Updated 13:42, 08 Sep 2025
Eberechi Eze of England
Eberechi Eze started England's 2-0 victory over Andorra(Image: Eddie Keogh/The FA via Getty Images)
Eberechi Eze insists England will be prepared to deal with racist abuse should it happen during their crunch clash in Serbia.
England take on the Serbians in a World Cup qualifier in Belgrade's Rajko Mitic Stadium on Tuesday evening (September 9). Former England stars Danny Rose and Andros Townsend have both suffered racist abuse in the past when on U21 duty in Serbia.
While FIFA has hit the hosts with a partial stadium closure for the visit of England, following racist behaviour by some of their fans during a home win over Andorra in June. The hosts must close a section of the ground behind the goals.
The Football Association of Serbia has also appealed for supporters to behave - reminding them they are under special monitoring by both FIFA and UEFA disciplinary bodies.
UEFA launched an investigation into racist chanting by Serbian fans during their team's 1-0 defeat to England in Gelsenkirchen at last summer's Euros.
Danny Rose was sent off for England after he was subject to racist abuse in qualifier in Serbia in 2012
Danny Rose was sent off for England after he was subject to racist abuse in qualifier in Serbia in 2012 and kicked a ball in anger(Image: GETTY )
The authorities have been placed on red alert ahead of the game - and Eze insists the Three Lions will be prepared.
When England stars were abused in previous games under former boss Gareth Southgate, they reported it to the authorities - and even came close to walking off the pitch during one match in Bulgaria.
Eze said: "I’d say we're very aware of maybe some of the challenges that we may face out there.
"I think it's something that internally we'll decide and have conversations about, but nothing to express to you guys at the moment."
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The new Arsenal winger, who moved to the Emirates from Crystal Palace for a fee of £68m this summer after turning down a move to the club's north London rivals Tottenham, started England's 2-0 win over Andorra on Saturday in the No 10 role behind Harry Kane.
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He played 78 minutes before he was replaced by substitute Morgan Gibbs-White. Speaking after the game, manager Thomas Tuchel said: "It's difficult because it's a very different crowd to a Premier League crowd. I think the energy was right, the quality was there and we should've scored more.
"After the first goal we had 10 or 15 minutes with too many ball losses and lost our focus and concentration but the second half, we found it again and should have scored more.
"I think we missed the little moments to accelerate the game. Maybe Ebz [Eberechi Eze] didn't have his best day in the number 10, the last pass from Noni Madueke wasn't clinical enough and Marcus Rashford had good moments but couldn't finish them."