UEFA to probe Serbia vs. Albania violence after drone stunt

Serbia's Euro 2016 qualifier against Albania is abandoned after a drone flying over the Partizan Stadium pitch carrying the Albanian flag leads to a clash between the two sets of players.

UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against the Football Associations of both Serbia and Albania after their Euro 2016 qualifier in Belgrade on Tuesday was abandoned after descending into violence on the pitch.

The Group I encounter, which went ahead despite long-standing political tensions between the two nations, was initially halted just before half-time by a drone trailing a pro-Albania banner hovering over the Partizan Stadium pitch.
However, the incident erupted after Serbia defender Stefan Mitrovic brought down the flag, which seemed to upset a number of Albania players, leading to a melee involving both teams.

The violence forced referee Martin Atkinson to lead the sides off the field, as disruption in the stands threatened to boil over, with objects being thrown onto the pitch at Albania players in the wake of the chaos.

Both sets of players were involved in a melee on the Partizan Stadium pitch.

UEFA match delegate Hari Bin confirmed the governing body would investigate what happened in Belgrade after the game, before spokesman Pedro Pinto told the Associated Press on Wednesday: "We will open disciplinary cases against both national associations."

Both football associations will have until next Wednesday to respond to the charges, with a decision on the punishments set to be issued the following Thursday.
UEFA president Michel Platini described the violence as inexcusable, adding: "Our game should not be mixed with politics of any kind."

FIFA president Sepp Blatter also denounced what happened in Belgrade, taking to Twitter to express his disappointment.

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