adminLONDON. — The Serbian and Albanian football associations face Uefa charges after clashes between players and a pitch invasion by fans caused their Euro 2016 qualifier to be abandoned on Tuesday night. Fights broke out when a flag and political message were flown into the stadium in Belgrade by a drone. Michel Platini, president of European football’s governing body, described the violence as “inexcusable”.
The Serbians and Albanian FAs will have until October 22 to respond.
Albanian fans had been banned from the qualifier between the Balkan rivals.
Serbia and Albania have a history of turbulent relations, predominantly in relation to the former Serbian province of Kosovo, which declared independence in 2008.
It has been recognised by the United States and major European Union countries, but Serbia refuses to do so, as do most ethnic Serbs inside Kosovo.
Trouble broke out between players after Serbian player Stefan Mitrovic attempted to pull down an Albanian flag, which was carried into the stadium attached to a drone.
Fans also had to be escorted from the pitch by police.
Match referee Martin Atkinson suspended play in the 41st minute with the score at 0-0 and Uefa confirmed the match had been abandoned after a delay of around 30 minutes.
Platini said he was “deeply saddened” by what had happened, adding: “Football is supposed to bring people together and our game should not be mixed with politics of any kind. The scenes in Belgrade last night were inexcusable.”
Fifa chief Sepp Blatter said: “Football should never be used for political messages. I strongly condemn what happened in Belgrade last night.” — BBC Sport.
Online Reporter