BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Serbia’s soccer association says midfielder Adem Ljajic has been suspended from the national team for failing to sing the national anthem before an exhibition against Spain.
The association said in a statement that Serbia’s new coach, Sinisa Mihajlovic, “sent Ljajic home” because he did not comply with his rules that stipulate players have to sing the anthem before matches.
The statement says that Ljajic, who is Muslim, did not sing the anthem “because of his personal reasons.” Serbia lost 2-0 against Spain in St. Gallen, Switzerland, on Saturday.
Ljajic was involved in an incident earlier this month with his former Fiorentina coach, Delio Rossi, who slapped him as he returned to the bench after being substituted in a Serie A game. Ljajic had stuck his thumb up ironically.
