Thu, September 21, 2023
UEFA sanctions Romania over pro-Serbia chanting towards Kosovo fans
UEFA has sanctioned the Romanian Football Federation (FRF) over pro-Serbia chanting by fans during their Euro 2024 qualifier against Kosovo.
The match in Bucharest on 12 September was suspended for 50 minutes after a section of home fans repeatedly chanted “Serbia, Serbia” and held up a banner which read “Kosovo is Serbia”. UEFA have fined the FRF €40,000 and ordered that their next home game against Andorra on 15 October will be played behind closed doors.
Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008 and won recognition from over 100 countries but Romania continues to fail to recognise this and still considered the country to be part of Serbia.
UEFA also fined the Ukraine federation €20,000 for racist behaviour during the qualifier with England on 9 September in Poland after fans displayed flags with far-right symbols. Ukraine’s next home game will see a partial stadium closure and they will be unable to sell tickets to their next away game in Malta on 17 October.
