Fan ban set to be in place for the Euro Play-off
Serbia are set to confirm the crucial Euro 2020 Play-off Final with Scotland will be played behind closed doors, after their equivalent of Professor Jason Leitch vetoed the idea of fans at the game.
Steve Clarke’s side travel to Belgrade as the Dark Blues attempt to qualify for their first major tournament for 23 years.
The Serbian authorities allowed 25,000 fans at their Eternal Derby between Partizan Belgrade and Red Star Belgrade in June.
They are hoping they could be permitted up to 30% of capacity at the 53,000-seated Rajko Mitic Stadium, according to UEFA regulations, for the crucial showdown next month.
That would see Andy Robertson & Co playing in front of around 15,000 fanatical locals on November 12.
The Balkan nation are desperate to have some of their notoriously-passionate fans in the stadium because they haven’t qualified for a European Championship for 20 years.
However, Serbia’s clinical director, Darija Kisic Tepavcevic – who has been performing the same role as Professor Leitch in Scotland – has told her country to forget the idea of having any supporters in the stadium.
She said: “Serbia only has one important game in the future – against Covid-19.
“That battle is the only thing that should matter to Serbians.
“I’m afraid any kind of gathering at all is too much of a risk at the moment.
“We hope that the situation will improve, and that the measures will be relaxed.
“We do wish for a normal life, but until then, we have to be patient.”
Earlier this month, Serbia star, Nemanja Maksimovic, pleaded with the country’s president, Aleksandar Vucic, to let fans back for their shoot-out with Scotland.
Getafe star Maksimovic said: “I hope by the time the game comes around, they will let the audience into the stadium.
“That way, we can qualify for the muchdesired European Championship in front of our fans.”
Scotland are underdogs for the one- off tie against Ljubisa Tumbakovic’s troops.
But, at this moment, they won’t have to cope with a hostile home support.