Romania has been awarded a 3-0 victory over Kosovo in a Nations League match that was abandoned after the Kosovo team walked off the pitch in response to pro-Serbia chants from Romanian fans. The incident has sparked significant controversy and led to fines for both teams.
Key Takeaways
- UEFA awarded Romania a 3-0 victory after Kosovo walked off the pitch.
- The match was abandoned in stoppage time with the score at 0-0.
- Romania was fined €128,000 for various offenses, including racist chants.
- Kosovo was fined €6,000 for the improper conduct of its team.
- Romania will play its next home match behind closed doors due to fan behavior.
Incident Overview
The Nations League match took place in Bucharest on November 15, 2024, and was marked by escalating tensions between the two teams. As the game approached its conclusion, Kosovo players left the field after hearing chants from the home crowd that they deemed offensive and provocative. The match was suspended for approximately 50 minutes before being officially abandoned when Kosovo refused to return.
UEFA’s Ruling
Following the incident, UEFA ruled that Kosovo forfeited the match, awarding Romania a default victory. The decision was based on the assessment that Kosovo was responsible for the match not being completed. This ruling has implications for both teams in the ongoing Nations League campaign, as Romania’s points total increased, potentially affecting their standings in future competitions.
Fines and Sanctions
In addition to the match result, UEFA imposed several fines on both football federations:
- Romania Football Federation (FRF)
- Football Federation of Kosovo (FFK)
Reactions and Future Implications
The incident has drawn widespread attention, particularly given the historical and political tensions between Kosovo and Serbia, which Romania also does not recognize. Kosovo’s team manager expressed disappointment with UEFA’s decision, stating that the players felt emotionally hurt by the chants and that their walk-off was a necessary protest against racism in football.
Romania’s Football Federation denied the allegations of racist chanting, asserting that no such slogans were used during the match. This incident is not isolated, as previous matches between the two nations have also been marred by similar controversies.
Conclusion
The awarding of the match to Romania and the subsequent fines highlight the ongoing challenges that football faces in addressing issues of racism and political tensions within the sport. As both teams prepare for their next matches, the implications of this incident will likely resonate in their future encounters and the broader context of international football relations.
Sources
- UEFA award Romania 3-0 victory over Kosovo after walk-off – ESPN, ESPN.
- UEFA orders Kosovo to forfeit Nations League game after team walks off. Romania punished for chants | AP News, AP News.
- Kosovo to appeal against Uefa-imposed 3-0 loss for leaving field over pro-Serbia chants | Kosovo | The Guardian, The Guardian.
- UEFA Declares Romania Winner After Football Match Abandoned by Kosovo | Balkan Insight, Balkan Insight.
- Romania declared winners by UEFA in abandoned match against Kosovo – Yahoo Sports, Yahoo Sports.
