Football match may be canceled due to racism: how FIFA protocol works.

According to The Sun: Football matches can be suspended due to suspicions of racism in accordance with FIFA and UEFA rules, but certain protocols must be followed to do so.

For the qualification match of the England national team against Serbia, which will take place on September 9, 2025, FIFA imposed restrictions at the 'Rajko Mitic' stadium in Belgrade due to discriminatory incidents involving Serbian fans.

Can football be canceled due to suspicion of racism?

The short answer is yes.

The FIFA and UEFA protocol on racism involves three stages that must be followed if racist behavior is detected during a match.

First, the referee stops the game and instructs an announcement to call for an end to the racist chants or actions.

Second, if the harassment continues after the match resumes, the referee must suspend the game for five to ten minutes, take the players off the field, and again warn the fans about the consequences of inappropriate behavior.

The third stage is if the racist behavior does not stop after the match is resumed again, the referee has the right to cancel the game.

This protocol has been developed to provide clear opportunities for stopping harassment and to provide officials with a structure for escalating actions if necessary.

FIFA has formalized these steps by introducing a principle of zero tolerance for racism.

“We will strive to have racism recognized as a crime in every country in the world, and where this crime already exists, we will seek prosecution with the utmost seriousness it deserves.”

Why is Serbia under sanctions?

The Football Association of Serbia (FSS) has been fined over 600,000 pounds sterling by FIFA and UEFA over the past five years, mostly for racist and discriminatory behavior in stadiums.

In the qualification match, 15 percent of the 'Rajko Mitic' stadium is closed to local fans as punishment for racist chants during a game against Andorra earlier in 2025.

The FSS has urged its fans to behave properly during the match against England.

The general secretary of the FSS, Branko Radujko, wrote in the match program:

“We are still under special monitoring by UEFA. Any inappropriate reaction, insult, or incident can cost us dearly on our way to the USA, Mexico, and Canada, including the possibility of holding a decisive match against Albania without spectators.”

Historically, Serbian fans have often displayed nationalist and ethnic chants, especially regarding issues related to the independence of Kosovo, which Serbia does not recognize.

England players have also faced racist abuse during matches against Serbia in the past.

In 2007, the FSS was fined 16,000 pounds sterling after Serbian fans racially abused Nedo Onuoha in a U21 game.

In 2012, Danny Rose received a red card for kicking the ball after reacting to racist chants during a U21 European Championship qualifying match.

England captain Harry Kane noted:

“We had a meeting and discussed the UEFA protocols that are in place. We don’t like to talk about it too much. Our focus is on the game. Anything can happen, but we are not thinking about it.”

Previously, Bulgaria had to play two matches without spectators – one of which was suspended for two years – after racist abuse of the Three Lions team players during a Euro 2020 qualifying match.

Recently, matches have also been stopped due to racism, including a friendly match between Salford City and York City in July 2025, which was canceled due to racist abuse from a fan.

The situation with racism in football remains a serious issue that requires decisive action. FIFA and UEFA continue to fight this phenomenon rather than adhere to strict sanctions and protocols. It is important for all participants in the match, from players to fans, to be aware of their responsibility to maintain an atmosphere of respect and dignity on the fields. By purchasing tickets to matches, fans are also participating in this fight for clean football, free from racism and hatred.