Nations League
Uproar and abandonment of the game: Kosovo selection leaves the field
There was a scandal in the game between Romania and Kosovo in the Nations League. The guests leave the field as a group – apparently because of political provocations from the fans.
In the Nations League duel between Romania and Kosovo there was a scandal and the game was abandoned shortly before the end. The visiting footballers left the field as a group in stoppage time. According to reports, they were responding to provocations from Romanian fans who chanted “Serbia” battle cries in the stands. A good hour after the interruption began, UEFA decided that the game would finally be abandoned. Further details will be communicated later, it said.
TV footage showed a few players and coaches from the Kosovo team showing the controversial double-headed eagle gesture in the direction of the fans. This symbolizes the Albanian national identity and is often used by ethnic Albanians to express their attachment to their homeland. However, for many Serbs, the double eagle reminds of the losses in the Kosovo war in 1998 to 1999 and the secession of Kosovo from Serbia.
After minutes of discussions with the referee, the Kosovo team and their German coach Franco Foda left the indoor area at 0-0 in the eighth minute of stoppage time – which should have only lasted four minutes – and went into the dressing room. About three quarters of an hour later the Romanians also left the pitch; After a loudspeaker announcement, the spectators left the stadium.
dpa
