Give Mitrovic a break warns Serbia FA chief
The Serbian FA president has called on supporters not to blame Aleksandar Mitrovic for their Euro 2020 play-off final defeat to Scotland.
Serbia remain in a state of shock following Thursday’s penalty shoot-out loss to Scotland.
FA chief Slavisa Kokeza has urged irate fans to forgive Fulham hitman Mitrovic after his penalty was saved by Scotland keeper David Marshall.
Kokeza, who also revealed plans for an inquest into the Balkan nation’s defeat, said: “Mitrovic is a top professional and someone you can’t find fault with. He was always there for his country and for his national team.
“It’s largely down to him we reached the position to qualify in the first place. He is one of the leaders of the team and will be with us for many, many years.
“He tried his best for the penalty but it wasn’t to be. We believed we had the team to qualify for the European Championships, especially after our win in Norway. “We are all responsible for it not happening, us, the coaching staff and the players. Our board will meet later this month and decisions will be made in the best interests of Serbian football.” Novak Djokovic, meanwhile, has also had his say on his country’s defeat and claimed Scotland broke his heart. The 17- time Grand Slam tennis champion said: “I watched it and the loss to Scotland has hurt me deeply. “As an athlete, I can fully understand what it feels like to win games like this and how it feels to lose it. I sympathise with the guys and the fans.
“We hope for better times and that we will strengthen as a national team.”