30 Minutes Ago: England Faces Harsh Criticism From Serbia After World Cup Qualifier

Stojković Slams England’s “Provoking Behavior” — Tuchel Responds With a Blunt Remark That Escalates Tensions

 

The aftermath of the recent World Cup qualifier between England and Serbia has quickly turned into a storm of words, with Serbian head coach Dragan Stojković launching a scathing attack on England’s players and accusing them of repeatedly engaging in provocative behavior during the match.

 

According to reports from the post-match press conference, Stojković did not hold back his frustration. He claimed that several England players crossed the line of fair play and resorted to taunts and unnecessary gestures designed to unsettle his squad.

 

> “We came here to play football, not to entertain these kinds of provocations,” Stojković said firmly.

“England is a great footballing nation, but today what we saw was not the spirit of fair competition. My players were pushed, mocked, and distracted far beyond what is acceptable on a football pitch.”

 

 

 

Serbia Officially Requests Review

 

The Serbian Football Federation reportedly filed a formal request with FIFA officials, urging them to review certain incidents during the qualifier. While no official ruling has yet been made, the action reflects the depth of dissatisfaction within the Serbian camp.

 

Tuchel’s Blunt Response

 

In sharp contrast, England head coach Thomas Tuchel appeared unconcerned by the complaints. When asked by journalists about Serbia’s accusations, he responded in his usual terse manner:

 

> “We play football. If they have a problem, that is theirs to deal with.”

 

 

 

Tuchel’s brief statement—delivered without elaboration—ignited even more outrage from Stojković, who described the response as “arrogant” and “dismissive of the real issues.”

 

Stojković Explodes in Anger

 

The Serbian coach, visibly agitated, fired back at Tuchel during his own media session.

 

> “Such comments show no respect. This is not about one coach’s opinion—it’s about protecting the values of football. If England wants to be remembered as a champion, they should start by playing with honor.”

 

 

 

He further warned that Serbia would not remain silent if the pattern continued, adding fuel to what already looks like a brewing rivalry between the two nations on the road to the 2026 World Cup.

 

England’s Camp Stays Silent

 

Aside from Tuchel’s one-line dismissal, the England camp has chosen to remain tight-lipped. Players avoided answering questions about the allegations, instead focusing on their performance and upcoming fixtures.

 

What This Means Moving Forward

 

While this war of words may not carry immediate consequences on the pitch, it sets the stage for heightened tensions should England and Serbia meet again. FIFA could review the footage of the game and issue warnings if any misconduct is proven.

 

For now, one thing is clear: the fallout from this qualifier is far from over. What was meant to be just another step toward the World Cup has turned into a heated political and sporting debate, with England’s reputation under scrutiny and Serbia demanding answers.