The highly anticipated match between Romania and Kosovo in the UEFA Nations League was abruptly abandoned late in the game, following accusations of racism from the Kosovo players. With only two minutes remaining, the Kosovo team left the field, leading to a chaotic conclusion and raising questions about the future of the match and potential disciplinary actions.
Key Takeaways
- The match was abandoned with a score of 0-0 after Kosovo players left the field.
- Kosovo’s decision was based on alleged racist chants from Romanian fans.
- UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against both federations.
- The outcome of the match may be decided at a later date by UEFA.
Match Overview
The match took place at the National Arena in Bucharest, where nearly 49,000 fans gathered to support their teams. Romania was looking to secure a victory to solidify their position at the top of Group C2 in the Nations League. However, tensions escalated in the dying moments of the game when Kosovo’s Amir Rrahmani and Romania’s Denis Alibec were involved in a heated exchange.
After the incident, Kosovo players reported that they heard chants of "Serbia, Serbia" from the stands, which they deemed unacceptable. Following a lengthy delay, during which the Romanian players remained on the field, the referee ultimately declared the match abandoned.
Reactions From Both Sides
- Kosovo’s Perspective: Kosovo’s manager, Bajram Shala, stated that the decision to leave the field was made collectively by the federation, coaching staff, and players due to the racist behavior exhibited by some fans. Shala emphasized that such actions violate the fundamental values of UEFA.
- Romania’s Response: The Romanian Football Federation condemned Kosovo’s decision to abandon the match, calling it disrespectful to the sport. Coach Mircea Lucescu described the action as "ridiculous" and expressed hope that UEFA would award Romania a 3-0 victory due to Kosovo’s refusal to continue playing.
UEFA’s Involvement
In response to the incident, UEFA announced that it would investigate the circumstances surrounding the abandonment of the match. Disciplinary procedures have been initiated against both the Romanian and Kosovo football federations. The outcome of these proceedings could have significant implications for both teams, including potential penalties or match results being awarded at the discretion of UEFA.
Historical Context
This match was not the first encounter between Romania and Kosovo that has been marred by controversy. Previous matches have also seen incidents of fan misconduct and political tensions, reflecting the complex relationship between the two nations. Romania does not recognize Kosovo’s independence, which adds another layer of complexity to their footballing encounters.
Looking Ahead
As both teams await UEFA’s decision, the focus will shift to their upcoming matches in the Nations League. Romania will aim to maintain their lead in the group, while Kosovo will seek to recover from this setback. The fallout from this incident may also influence future encounters between the two nations, both on and off the pitch.
Sources
- România – Kosovo. UEFA va decide soarta meciului abandonat de kosovari. Oaspeții au acuzat acte de rasism, Europa Liberă România.
- Meciul România – Kosovo. UEFA a deschis proceduri disciplinare împotriva ambelor federații | Digi24, Digi24.
- Anunțul UEFA după ce Kosovo a refuzat să mai joace cu România iar meciul a fost abandonat | Digi24, Digi24.
- Jurnalistă kosovară, reacție virală pe internet după meciul România-Kosovo. Ce scrie și presa din Serbia | Digi24, Digi24.
- România – Kosovo în Liga Națiunilor: Meci întrerupt, kosovarii au ieșit de pe teren. Gestul politic care obligă UEFA să ia masuri | Digi24, Digi24.
