UEFA set to probe Belgrade violence
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UEFA will open disciplinary cases against the Serbian and Albanian football associations over the fighting between players and fans that led to their European Championship qualifier in Belgrade being abandoned.
The violence broke out after a drone dangling an Albanian banner circled over the field during the first half of Tuesday night’s game. A Serbian player grabbed the banner as Albanian players tried to protect it, and the game was called off before halftime amid the chaos.
The case was quickly assessed by UEFA’s disciplinary unit yesterday after receiving reports from the delegate, match officials and security.
“We will open disciplinary cases against both national associations,” UEFA spokesman Pedro Pinto said.
The Serbians and Albanians will have until next Wednesday to respond to the charges, with a decision on punishments set to be issued the following day. Serbia could have to play its next Euro 2016 qualifier at home on November 14 against Denmark without any fans.
UEFA President Michel Platini said he was saddened by the violence.
“Football is supposed to bring people together and our game should not be mixed with politics of any kind,” Platini said. “The scenes in Belgrade last night were inexcusable.”
There was also condemnation from FIFA President Sepp Blatter, who wrote on Twitter: “Football should never be used for political messages. I strongly condemn what happened in Belgrade.”
Albanian fans had been warned against attending the game between the two Balkan rival nations that have had turbulent relations, mainly over the former ethnic Albanian-dominated Serbian province of Kosovo that declared independence in 2008. But neither nations asked to be separated in qualifying, said Pinto, who also highlighted the lack of ongoing military conflict between the nations.
Armenia and Azerbaijan, which have a territorial dispute, have been kept apart by UEFA in draws since their scheduled Euro 2008 qualifiers were cancelled, and Spain refuses to play new UEFA member Gibraltar because of a sovereignty dispute with the British territory.
Serbian officials accused Albania of a deliberate political provocation, while the Albanian team returned home to a heroes’ welcome. The Albanian anthem was loudly jeered by Serbian fans and derogatory chants were heard throughout the first half. Serbian supporters also threw flares at the field.
Belgrade media and officials accused Albanian prime minister’s brother, Olsi Rama, of controlling the drone from a VIP box at the Belgrade stadium, something he vehemently denied.
“They want to justify the situation that went beyond their control,” Olsi Rama said. “They seemed totally unprepared for an abnormal situation.”
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