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BELGRADE: England’s players have held internal discussions about how they will respond if subjected to racist abuse during Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier away to Serbia, captain Harry Kane has said, amid concerns over fan behavir in Belgrade.

The Football Association of Serbia (FSS) has appealed to supporters in a statement to “create a positive atmosphere” and “to send out an image to the world that will make us all proud.”

“We had a meeting and we discussed the protocols that are in place, more from UEFA’s point of view, (but) I don’t think we like to discuss it too much,” Kane told reporters on Monday.

“Our focus is on the game. Our focus is on trying to beat Serbia on the pitch.

“Anything can happen, of course, and we’re prepared for that but we’re thinking about the game and, like the (statement) Serbian FA put out, it’s about enjoying the spectacle, enjoying the game, and we hope that’s the case tomorrow.”

The FSS appeal came after UEFA ordered 15 percent of the 50,000 seats at Rajko Mitic Stadium be closed on Tuesday as punishment for racist behavior by Serbia fans against Andorra in June.

England players were the target of racist abuse in a Euro 2020 qualifying game in Bulgaria that was stopped twice as officials threatened to abandon the match. England won 6-0

“I thought we handled that situation away in Bulgaria really well, and (Tuesday) will be no different,” said Kane.

“These are things that are hard to talk about now because we don’t know if it’s going to happen or not.

“But ultimately, in the event it does happen, we’ll be prepared to do what is necessary.”

Toughest test

Victory on Tuesday would put Thomas Tuchel’s England team, who lead Group K with four wins from four games, a step closer to qualifying for next year’s finals.

However, it is their toughest test so far.

Beyond the hostile environment expected in Belgrade, Serbia are England’s highest-ranked opponents in the group at 32.

While Tuchel’s fourth-ranked side have yet to concede a goal, their victories have been underwhelming. They needed an own goal to open the scoring during their 2-0 win over Andorra on Saturday, a nation ranked 170 places below them.

“Let’s see how the game plays out,” Tuchel said.

“We prepare for everything, we’re in a very emotional sporting country — they have world class sportsmen, amazing talents in football — and will have quality.

“Our first away game together in a traditional stadium. I think the occasion will bring out the best in us.”

Tuchel added that everyone, including defender Marc Guehi who was doubtful after suffering a sore groin against Andorra, is available to start on Tuesday.

Asked about the potential for racism, Tuchel said UEFA had discussed protocols with the squad.

“I always believe in the good and believe we will have a high-level sporting occasion,” the German said.

“I don’t want to put a focus on it because I believe in the beauty of the sport and the beauty of the game.”

England’s only previous meeting with Serbia was a 1-0 group stage win at Euro 2024.

LONDON: Former Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand was hired Monday to lead Bayer Leverkusen as a replacement for Erik ten Hag following the Dutchman’s abrupt firing last week.

Hjulmand has been out of work since leaving the Danish national team following their last-16 exit at the European Championship in 2024, after four years in charge.

It will be Hjulmand’s second stint in the Bundesliga, after less than a year with Mainz in the 2014-15 season.

“I have always seen Bayer 04 as a very well-managed, well-structured and highly ambitious club,” the 53-year-old Hjulmand said. “This impression has been confirmed in recent days. It’s an honor to be entrusted with a team like this.”

Leverkusen, who won the Bundesliga in the 2023-24 season after going the entire domestic campaign undefeated, needed a new coach after getting rid of Ten Hag, who had just three games in charge after succeeding Xabi Alonso.

A tough start

Hjulmand has signed a contract through the end of the 2026-27 season and faces a tricky debut at home to Eintracht Frankfurt on Friday before a return to Denmark to face Copenhagen in the Champions League on Sept. 18.

He hasn’t coached in the Champions League since the 2012-13 season with Nordsjaelland, where he’d won the Danish title. Nordsjaelland had one draw and five losses in that campaign and was defeated in Champions League qualification the following season.

Ten Hag’s departure

The former Manchester United manager was tasked with rebuilding Leverkusen after an exodus of key players, including Florian Wirtz, Granit Xhaka and Jeremie Frimpong, since Alonso’s departure for Real Madrid at the end of last season.

However, chaos soon engulfed the club, with Ten Hag questioning club decisions in the transfer market and collecting just one point from Leverkusen’s first two Bundesliga games — a home defeat to Hoffenheim before squandering a two-goal lead to draw 3-3 with 10-man Werder Bremen.

That draw saw players ignore Ten Hag’s instructions and argue among themselves on the field over who would take a penalty.

Hjulmand’s leadership

Leverkusen chief executive Fernando Carro commended Hjulmand’s “transparent, communicative and empathetic style,” saying: “A newly assembled team like ours, which is capable of development, needs clear guidelines.”

Hjulmand comes recommended by a key member of Alonso’s staff. Fitness coach Ismael Camenforte worked for Hjulmand with Denmark and at Leverkusen until leaving for Madrid with Alonso.

Hjulmand’s empathy and leadership qualities were especially on show at the European Championship in 2021, when Denmark captain Christian Eriksen collapsed on the field after suffering cardiac arrest during the team’s first game against Finland.

Hjulmand was widely lauded for the way he dealt with the emotional aftermath of Eriksen’s collapse and subsequent recovery and led the Danes to the semifinals, where they lost to England.