The controversial flag was also raised by Serbian fans in the stands
The governing body of football, FIFA, has initiated disciplinary proceedings against the Football Association of Serbia.
FIFA’s move comes after the Serbian national team suspended a controversial flag in its dressing room at the World Cup, which is currently being held in Qatar.
The aforementioned flag depicts Kosovo within a map of Serbia, with the words “No Compromise”.
The Serbian national team hung the aforementioned flag before its match with its Brazilian counterpart at the opening of the two teams’ participation in the World Cup, which ended with Brazil’s victory with two goals to none.
Tensions are rising between the Serbs on the one hand and the Albanian-led government in Kosovo on the other hand, amid fears of an outbreak of violence again 23 years after the end of the Kosovo war.
Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, but Serbia – an ally of Russia – does not recognize Kosovo as an independent state.
On Friday, the Football Association of Kosovo lodged a complaint with FIFA, objecting to what it described as the “chauvinistic tone” taken by Serbia.
In a statement, the Football Association of Kosovo said: “These manifestations of chauvinism have no place in a sporting event, not even in the facilities where the biggest event in the world of football takes place. Therefore, the Football Association of Kosovo, as an equal member of all members, FIFA demands that this organization take punitive measures against acts that incite hatred between peoples and are contrary to human values.”
The statement added, “It is not acceptable for this act to pass in silence. Therefore, we strongly demand that FIFA strictly implement its regulations and punish the Football Association of Serbia for this hostile act (us) and the values that football supports.”
Kosovo’s Sports Minister, Hajrula Çeku, said he expected “concrete measures” from FIFA against messages sent by Serbia that contain meanings of hatred and genocide – as he put it.
The International Federation of Football Associations initiated its disciplinary procedures against Serbia under Article 11 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, related to “aggressive behavior and violation of the principle of fair play,” as well as to “exploiting a sporting event to announce matters not related to sports.”
The International Federation also relies in its disciplinary procedures on Article Four of the 2022 World Cup regulations, which deals with the responsibilities of the teams participating in the World Cup.
Kosovo joined the European Football Association, UEFA, as well as FIFA in 2016. But according to UEFA regulations, the Kosovo national team cannot face its Serbian counterpart in the World Cup qualifiers, due to the existing tensions between the two countries.
Kosovo did not qualify for the World Cup organized by Qatar.
As for the Serbian national team, it was defeated by its Brazilian counterpart on Thursday, with two goals to none, in the opening of the two teams’ participation in the World Cup.
The Serbian national team is scheduled to meet its Cameroonian counterpart on Monday in the second round of the group stage.
And without points yet, Serbia – along with Cameroon – bottoms the list of Group G, which includes Brazil and Switzerland next to them.