Red Star Belgrade vs Tottenham: No racist abuse in Champions League meeting, promises Serbian side’s coach
North London side thrashed Wednesday’s hosts 5-0 in reverse fixture last month
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Your support makes all the difference.Red Star Belgrade coach Vladan Milojevic has said Tottenham Hotspur players will not suffer any racist abuse in the sides’ Champions League meeting on Wednesday.
Spurs received abuse last time they played in Belgrade in 2014 and the Group B clash will take place at the Rajko Mitic Stadium, where Serbia fans were found guilty of racist abuse against Portugal last month.
Red Star fans were also banned from attending the reverse fixture against Spurs a fortnight ago by Uefa after they were found guilty of racism during a qualifying match in Finland in July.
Milojevic insisted, however, his club’s fans will be the perfect hosts on Wednesday.
“I can guarantee that everyone here will feel safe,” Milojevic said in a pre-match press conference.
“In our team we have players with different skin colours and never had a problem. Not even Tottenham footballers will have them tomorrow.
“We will show that we are the real hosts and that this is a country that embraces diversity.
“I believe that our fans will be great tomorrow and I urge them to come as much as possible to support us.”
Red Star were hammered 5-0 in London a fortnight ago, but are a different proposition in their own backyard, where they defeated Liverpool 2-0 in the group stage exactly one year ago.
“I’m not someone who likes to make promises, but I always believe in positive things,” Milojevic said.
“Still, Tottenham and Liverpool are two different teams from last year and there is no room for comparison.
“The fact is that we are a different team when we play at home and it is very difficult for our opponents to play in front of the full stands where our fans are.
“Everything that was yesterday should be left behind in the past, and we will strive to write new history.”
PA
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