Bucharest – A Nations League match between Romania and Kosovo in Bucharest was abandoned in stoppage time on Friday after Kosovo’s players walked off the pitch in protest against pro-Serbia chants from Romanian fans.
The game, poised at a goalless draw, took a dramatic turn in the 93rd minute when home supporters chanted “Serbia! Serbia!” during a heated exchange between Kosovo captain Amir Rrahmani and Romanian striker Denis Alibec. The chanting led the Kosovo team to leave the field and refuse to return, prompting officials to call off the match. UEFA stated that it would issue “further information in due course.”
“This is too much,” said Rrahmani in a post-match news conference. “Everyone must know that Kosovo is Kosovo, or Kosovo is Albania. That’s it. This is where it ends.”
Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, a move recognized by over 100 nations but not by Romania. Similar incidents have marred previous matches between the two sides. Last year, Romania’s soccer federation was fined by UEFA for pro-Serbia chanting and banners reading “Kosovo is Serbia” during a Euro 2024 qualifier at the same venue.
The Football Federation of Kosovo has also faced sanctions, with UEFA fining them €61,000 in September for incidents during a Nations League match in Pristina. The abandonment of the match reflects the enduring geopolitical tensions between Kosovo and countries aligned with Serbia, as well as the difficulty of isolating sports from historical and political conflicts. UEFA is expected to announce further actions regarding the incident in the coming days.