England captain Harry Kane has sent a strong message ahead of Tuesday night’s World Cup qualifier in Belgrade, warning that the team will walk off the pitch if subjected to racist abuse.
The Rajko Mitic Stadium, already operating at a reduced capacity, was marred by racist behaviour from Serbia fans during a match against Andorra in June.
Protocols Are in Place, But Kane Hopes They Won’t Be Needed
Asked whether he would lead the team off if abuse recurred, Kane confirmed: “Yes, we had a similar situation in Bulgaria.
UEFA have the protocols in place for us to follow. We know the steps, we know the situation.”
Despite the potential tension, the Bayern Munich striker is optimistic that the match will proceed without incident.
“We’re talking about something that hasn’t happened yet,” he said. “We’ll take everything in our stride, everything as it comes.
We’re clear in what we want to do. Let’s just see what happens tomorrow night.
We’re more focused on Serbia as a team and how we can hurt them.”
Kane Responds to Michael Owen’s Criticism
Off the pitch, Kane addressed comments from former England striker Michael Owen, who criticized him for moving to Germany just as he was nearing the Premier League’s all-time goalscoring record.
“I heard it,” Kane said. “Everyone is entitled to their opinion.
I’ve spent a bit of time with him but don’t know him well.
Obviously, he’s a Premier League great and an England great, so I’ll respect him as a person.
But ultimately, as he will know, everyone’s career is different—everyone’s decisions and motivations are different.”
Moving Abroad to Challenge Himself
Kane explained that his move to Bayern Munich wasn’t just about chasing trophies.
“I went to be at the highest level for as long as possible.
I’m really happy playing big games, title runs, Champions League matches, and Club World Cup quarter-finals.
I feel I’m improving as a player and pushing my goalscoring limits.
It’s hard not to hear things these days, but this decision has been best for me, and I’m very happy at Bayern Munich now.”
Focused on England’s Mission
With both domestic and international responsibilities on his mind, Kane remains concentrated on the task ahead: leading England in Belgrade.
He and his team are united, prepared to follow protocols, but determined to focus on football and deliver a strong performance against Serbia.