UEFA suspend Serbia coach, fine FA for delayed kick-off

Mon, Nov 2, 2020
By editor
2 MIN READ

Sports

European football ruling body UEFA has punished Serbia coach Ljubisa Tumbakovic with a one-match ban and fined the Balkan country’s Football Association (FA) 20,000 euros (18,027 pounds).

The punishment was for a delayed kick-off in their 1-0 UEFA Nations League home defeat by Hungary last month.

Serbia turned up several minutes late from the tunnel at Red Star stadium for the Group B3 match on Oct. 11.

The European football’s governing body said it had also fined Tumbakovic 5,000 euros.

UEFA did not specify, however, how Tumbakovic is to serve the ban.

It can be during their crunch Euro 2020 qualifier at home to Scotland on Nov. 12 or their UEFA Nations League visit to Hungary three days later.

“The Control, Ethics and Disciplinary body has decided to fine the Football Association of Serbia 20,000 euros for being responsible for the late kick-off,” UEFA said in a statement.

“It has also decided to order the suspension of Serbia’s coach Ljubisa Tumbakovic for one UEFA competition match in which he would otherwise participate and fine him with 5,000 euros.”

The Serbian FA were not immediately available for comment. The winner of Serbia versus Scotland clash in Belgrade will clinch a Euro 2020 Group D berth alongside England, Croatia and the Czech Republic.

The round-robin matches are to be played at Wembley and Hampden Park.

The 24-nation tournament was originally due to be held from June 12 to July 12 this year but was pushed back because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is now to be staged from June 11 to July 11 next year.

Serbia are bottom of their UEFA Nations League group on two points from four games, one behind third-placed Turkey.

Hungary are second on seven points, a point adrift of leaders Russia.(Reuters/NAN)

– Nov. 2, 2020 @ 14:29 GMT |

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