Romania have been ordered to play their next home match behind closed doors due to the “racist and/or discriminatory behaviour of its supporters” during their Nations League match against Kosovo.
UEFA charged the Romanian FA with “racist and/or discriminatory behaviour”, among other things, after Kosovo walked off the pitch in second-half added time of Friday’s game in Bucharest.
The match, which had been goalless when play was stopped, was later abandoned and UEFA has now awarded Romania a 3-0 win after deeming that Kosovo were responsible for forfeiting the game. Kosovo have also been fined €6,000.
The Kosovo players walked off after “Serbia, Serbia, Serbia” chants could be heard from the home crowd. The Kosovan Football Federation (FFK) later alleged that “Kosovo is Serbia” chants could also be heard. The Romania Football Federation (RFF) denied that chant was heard.
Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008 and is formally recognised by 101 countries, but not by Romania or Serbia.
GO DEEPER
Switzerland’s Shaqiri and Xhaka, Kosovo and an eagle celebration against Serbia
UEFA has also fined the RFF €50,000 for the racist or discriminatory behaviour of its fans. The RFF has been fined an additional €30,000 for “transmitting provocative political messages not fit for a sports event”, as well as €38,000 for five other charges during the match.
The FFK said that its players abandoned the match “due to the lack of safety and dignity” after “continuous racist and anti-Kosovo chants by the Romanian fans, who repeated racist and provocative behaviour…in complete violation of UEFA regulations and principles”.
The FRF responded by saying: “We consider the accusations made by the Kosovo side to be unfounded and firmly believe that their actions were premeditated.”
After the game, the FFK also alleged that a Romanian official “intervened in the press conference of the Kosovo national team, shooing away the journalists” and then “threatened and assaulted a Kosovo player in the corridors of the stadium”. The FRF “categorically” denies that this alleged incident occurred and alleges instead that “the Kosovo delegation initiated a confrontation with Romanian journalists”. The FFK did not respond when approached for comment on this allegation or that the team’s actions were premeditated.
Romania’s next home fixture will be a World Cup 2026 qualification match in March. Their opponent will be determined after next month’s draw for those groups.
(Vasile Mihai-Antonio/Getty Images)
