UEFA open proceedings against Serbia and Albania for their abandoned Euro 2016 qualifier... but Serbian FA say incident was a 'planned terrorist attack' on their country
- Serbia's Euro 2016 qualifier against Albania was abandoned on Tuesday
- A drone carrying the Albanian flag was flow over the pitch in the first half
- Serbian defender Stefan Mitrovic pulled down the flag resulting in fighting
- Serbian FA believe the drone was part of a 'planned terrorist attack'
- UEFA are now investigating the ugly scenes that happened in Belgrade and the disciplinary body hears the case on October 23
- Heavy fines likely and other sanctions including possible points deductions
Serbia and Albania can expect severe punishments after UEFA launched an investigation into a night of unprecedented violence in Belgrade, described as ‘inexcusable’ by Michel Platini.
Recriminations continued on Wednesday after the Euro 2016 qualifier between the fierce Balkan rivals descended into violence and chaos involving players, fans and staff when a drone carrying a flag bearing a politically-charged message was flown into Belgrade’s Partizan Stadium.
- Albania players told how they feared for their safety as hooligans invaded the pitch and threw missiles as they ran to the tunnel for cover.
- Serbia accused the perpetrators behind the flag of committing ‘a terrorist act’ - although there is scant evidence to support such an incendiary claim.
- The brother of Albania’s prime minister was forced to deny he was steering the drone from his VIP box.
- Serbia claimed they should be awarded a 3-0 victory by UEFA despite loudly jeering the Albanian anthem.
English referee Martin Atkinson was at the centre of the storm, forced to abandon the tie as Albania’s players refused to continue once they had taken refuge in the dressing room.
The Serbian FA have released a statement about their abandoned match against Albania on Tuesday
Serbia player Stefan Mitrovic leaps to grab the flag and pull it and the drone to the ground - sparking the chaos
The drone struggles to fly as players and substitutes from both sides get involved in a scuffle
Southampton's Dusan Tadic is at the centre of a scuffle along with Man City's Aleksandar Kolarov (2nd left)
The mass brawl was sparked with the score at 0-0 in the 40th minute when Serbia defender Stefan Mitrovic dragged down the flag, which displayed a map of so-called ‘Greater Albania’ — including Kosovo — and the word ‘autochthonous’, meaning indigenous.
Mitrovic was grabbed by two Albanians and the flag was taken by Albania striker Bekim Balaj, who was attacked with a chair by a Serbian fan.
Albania captain Lorik Cana, once of Sunderland, wrestled the thug to the floor before more pitch invaders forced the visiting team to dash down the tunnel, fending off kicks and missiles as they did so.
Cana, now at Lazio, said he suffered injuries to his face in the melee, adding: ‘We came to play football, but we were physically attacked by Serbian fans and therefore did not want to return to the field.’
Albanian players try to take cover as they flee to the tunnel - a chair and a bottle (ringed) were thrown at them
The Albanian players pile into the tunnel to escape the hail of missiles
Riot police try to contain the home fans after fighting broke out (it is not known if the fans in this picture were involved in the disorder)
Riot police attempt to contain fans in the stands of the Partizan Stadium. The match was eventually abandoned
Some spectators tried to storm the police lines as the disorder continued in the stands
Chelsea's Nemanja Matic sidesteps a challenge before his club-mate Brainslav Ivanovic later walked off
Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic, Serbia’s captain, said: ‘All I can say is that we wanted to carry on and that we shielded the Albanian players every step of the way to the tunnel. The Albanian team said they were unfit physically and mentally to carry on after talking to the officials and they will now decide the fate of this match.’
UEFA formally opened disciplinary proceedings on Wednesday night. Serbia will be investigated on five counts, including setting off fireworks, crowd disturbance and poor organisation.
Albania are accused of breaching two rules: refusing to play and the display of an illicit banner.
UEFA president Platini said he was ‘deeply saddened,’ adding: ‘The scenes in Belgrade were inexcusable.’
In a statement, the Serbian FA ‘strongly stressed’ that ‘at all times safety was guaranteed to every member’ of Albania’s team — then accused Olsi Rama, brother of Albanian prime minister Edi, of flying the drone from the stands.
They insisted they should be awarded a 3-0 victory because their visitors were ‘directly guilty for the match abandonment’, adding: ‘Serbia are aghast by the provocation and are afraid this is a scenario of a terrorist action planned in advance.’
Serbian media reported Olsi Rama had been arrested with controls in his hands but he denied the claims, saying: ‘I’ve never used a drone in my life... only bought my son a toy helicopter.’
A 3,000-strong crowd cheered the Albania team’s return in Tirana. Their prime minister tweeted: ‘Proud of the black and red team. Regret for our neighbours who presented themselves badly with their ugly show.’
Fans clashed with police as havoc took hold (it is not known whether the fans shown in this picture were involved in the disorder)
Serbian supporters wave their flags on what was a heated night in Belgrade
The incident prompted hundreds of Albanian fans to spill out onto the streets of their capital Tirana
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