Last news in Fakti

Kosovo players walk off pitch over pro-Serbian chants in Bucharest

fddfdfdfdfdfd

Nov 16, 2024 11:05 61

Kosovo players walk off pitch over pro-Serbian chants in Bucharest  - 1

The Nations League match between Romania and Kosovo in Bucharest was abandoned in stoppage time last night at 0-0 after the away players left the pitch when they heard pro-Serbian chants from the home fans.

With the match heading for a goalless draw, the Kosovars headed for the dressing room in the 93rd minute after the home fans chanted "Serbia!" during a heated argument between Kosovo captain Amir Rahmani and Romanian striker Denis Alibek.

The match was initially suspended before being abandoned altogether after the Kosovo team refused to return to the pitch. The team left the field after a long discussion with the referee. About 45 minutes later, the players of Romania also left the field.

Spectators were also instructed to leave.

Uefa said they would announce "further information in due course".

"This is too much. Everyone should know that Kosovo is Kosovo or Kosovo is Albania. This is it!", Rahmani said at a press conference.

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008 and is recognized by more than 100 countries, but not Romania.

The Romanian football federation was fined by UEFA last year for chanting pro-Serbia and displaying a banner reading "Kosovo is Serbia". by supporters during a Euro 2024 qualifier between the two teams at the same stadium.

In October, the Kosovo Football Federation was fined a total of €61,000 by UEFA for incidents during September's Nations League match against Romania in Pristina.

More than 90 percent of Kosovo's population is of Albanian origin, and public opinion polls show overwhelming support in the country for the unification of the neighboring states.