SPORTS
UEFA charge Serbia and Albania after European Qualifier abandoned in Belgrade
UEFA has charged the Serbian and Albanian football associations for the incidents at the abandoned Euro 2016 qualifier in Belgrade.
The Group I encounter in Belgrade descended into chaos and was halted shortly before half-time when a drone trailing a pro-Albania banner flew over the Partizan Stadium pitch.
Disorder escalated when Serbia defender Stefan Mitrovic brought down the flag, with players from both teams involved in a melee and objects subsequently thrown from the stands.
UEFA has now charged Serbia over the missiles thrown, the pitch invasion by fans, and poor organisation, whilst the Albanians have been charged for the flying of the banner, and for refusing to play on.
A statement on the URFA website read: “Disciplinary proceedings have been opened against the Football Association of Serbia (FSS) for the setting off/throwing of fireworks and missiles (Article 16(2b & c) UEFA Disciplinary Regulations), crowd disturbance (Art. 16(2h) DR), field invasion by supporters (Art. 16(2a) DR), insufficient organisation (Art. 16(1) DR) and use of a laser pointer (Art. 16(2d) DR).
“Proceedings have also been opened against the Football Association of Albania (FShF) for refusing to play (Art. 27(1) UEFA Competition Regulations) and the display of an illicit banner (Art. 16(2e) DR).
“The case will be dealt with by the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body on 23 October.”
UEFA president Michel Platini labelled the scenes, which forced English referee Martin Atkinson to lead the sides off the field after just 40 minutes, as "inexcusable".
The Frenchman said in a statement: "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."