FIFA set to issue 'substantial' fine over incident in England's win over Serbia

Serbia are set to face a hefty financial penalty following their supporters' "dangerous" deployment of a laser against England. The Three Lions faced Serbia on Wednesday night, claiming the most convincing triumph of the Thomas Tuchel era to date.

England raced to a commanding 5-0 victory - with Harry Kane, Noni Madueke, Ezri Konsa, Mark Guehi and Marcus Rashford all getting on the scoresheet. The home side were also left with 10 players late in proceedings as Nikola Milenkovic received his marching orders from referee Clement Turpin. A peculiar moment also unfolded when England defender Konsa had a laser pointer directed at his face by someone in the stands.

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, Paul Robinson noted: "Ezri Konsa immediately stopped. You could see the flash on his shirt. He put his hands to his eyes. A clear green laser pen must have shone in his face."

Turpin promptly suspended play and a message urging those responsible to cease directing the light was subsequently broadcast over the stadium's public address system.

Although no further incidents occurred, former FIFA referee Keith Hackett reckons the Serbian FA could now encounter severe repercussions.

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Speaking to Football Insider, he said: "The use of a laser is dangerous and unacceptable. Turpin, the French referee, is a very experienced referee and will have been informed.

"The match observer in attendance will have requested the announcement be made. The matter will be reported to the authorities and Serbia will be sanctioned with a substantial fine."

Serbia were already forced to stage the match before a reduced-capacity crowd. FIFA had imposed that sanction for racist chanting during a previous encounter against Andorra.

The Serbian FA have also been hit with fines exceeding £600,000 by FIFA and UEFA in recent years for "various prohibited items, insults, and discrimination in the stands".

Branko Radujko, the FSS's general secretary, had pleaded with supporters to behave properly before the fixture, a request that apparently went unheeded.

"We are still under special monitoring of UEFA," he penned in the matchday programme. "Every inappropriate reaction, insult or incident could cost us dearly on our path to the USA, Mexico and Canada, including the possibility of having to play a decisive match with Albania behind closed doors.

"That is the reason I sincerely and seriously call on you: let us cheer from the heart but let it be fair. We can be loud but dignified. Let our support be a source of strength, not a risk for the national team."