The Euro 2024 qualifier between Romania and Kosovo was suspended for 45 minutes on Tuesday due to discriminatory behaviour from supporters.
Supporters in the Romania end at the National Arena in Bucharest displayed a banner reading “Kosovo is Serbia” and fans also chanted “Kosovo is Serbia”.
The game was stopped after 18 minutes with the score at 0-0, and the players left the pitch
“Due to discriminatory behaviour from supporters, the match has been suspended,” UEFA stated on an in-game report on its website.
A stadium announcement warned supporters about chanting before the game resumed after a 45-minute delay.
Kosovo’s declaration of independence from Serbia in 2008 is formally recognised by 101 countries, but not Romania or Serbia.
Had the behaviour from supporters continued after the restart, UEFA protocol dictates that the referee could have abandoned the match.
The case is set to be referred to UEFA’s disciplinary authorities.
Following the game’s restart, Romania scored twice in the second half to secure a 2-0 victory. Nicolae Stanciu and Valentin Mihaila were on the scoresheet for Romania, while Vedat Muriqi was sent off on the stroke of half time.
Romania sit second in Group I after three wins and three draws from their opening six qualifying matches. Kosovo are fifth and are yet to win any of their six Euro 2024 qualifiers.
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(Photo: DANIEL MIHAILESCU/AFP via Getty Images)
