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Friday, 24 October 2014

Serbia awarded 3-0 win vs. Albania, but fined and docked three points by UEFA

Serbia Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic said the flag incident which halted a Euro 2016 qualifier with Albania was a 'political provocation'.
UEFA has awarded Serbia a 3-0 walkover for the abandoned Euro 2016 qualifier against Albania in Belgrade, but has also deducted three points from them and ordered that their next two home qualifiers are played behind closed doors.

SERBIA VS. ALBANIA VIOLENCE


Serbia had been charged over the throwing of missiles and fireworks, crowd disturbance, invasion of the pitch by supporters, insufficient organisation and use of a laser pointer.
Albania had been charged over refusing to play and the display of an illicit banner, with both countries being fined 100,000 euros (78,000 pounds.)
The match on Oct. 14 -- Albania's first visit to Belgrade since 1967 -- was marred by violence. With the score goalless, it was halted minutes before half-time after fighting broke out between players, staff and supporters, with the players eventually running down the tunnel as the game was halted.

During a stoppage in play to clear a flare from the pitch, a drone hovered into view above the arena, with a flag depicting "Greater Albania," which lays claim to Kosovo and parts of Serbia, dangling beneath it.
The arrival of a drone above the pitch sparked the melee in Belgrade.
Serbia defender Stefan Mitrovic jumped to catch it as it landed and was set upon by Albanian players. The flag ended up in the hands of striker Bekim Balaj.
Substitutes and officials subsequently entered the pitch, and running fights broke out as a number of supporters also gained entry to the playing area.

With matters appearing to be calming, more intruders entered the arena and had to be restrained by Serbian players, while fighting continued.
Eventually, Albania's players exited via the players' tunnel, pelted by objects and appearing to be set upon by more pitch invaders from the crowd.
Serbia's players followed and, with riot police flanking the pitch in columns several deep, attempts were made to restore order.

These resulted in an announcement that play would continue, but -- after Serbian substitutes and coach Dick Advocaat temporarily returned -- news filtered through that the match officials had decided to abandon proceedings.
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