Football

Serbia pledges to UEFA to curb fan violence

BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Serbia's prime minister has pledged to UEFA to curb fan violence and avoid expulsions of its teams from international competitions.

Prime Minister Ivica Dacic said Friday he has spoken to UEFA President Michael Platini, pledging to form a special task force that would fight hooliganism at Serbian stadiums. Dacic quoted Platini as saying both Serbia and Croatia have received "yellow cards" for their fan behavior.

Serbian and Croatian hooligans have been a persistent concern for European football's governing body. Platini has twice in two years warned Serbian and Croatian political leaders that national and club teams faced suspension from UEFA competitions if they did not act to curb the problem.

Balkan rivals Croatia and Serbia meet in a World Cup qualifier in Zagreb, Croatia, on March 22.

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