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Serbia

Albanian Team Welcomed Home As Heroes After Belgrade Brawl

Updated
Serbian police were out in force for the match at Belgrade's Partizan stadium ahead of the Euro 2016 group I match. (AFP/Andrej Isakovic)
1/14 Serbian police were out in force for the match at Belgrade's Partizan stadium ahead of the Euro 2016 group I match. (AFP/Andrej Isakovic)
A UEFA qualifying match for the Euro 2016 football tournament was suspended on October 14 after fighting broke out between players, team officials, and fans at Partizan stadium in Belgrade. Tensions were high before the match, which marked the Albanian squad's first trip to Belgrade since the 1960s and Serbian nerves still raw over the sovereignty of Kosovo, the majority ethnic Albanian region of the former Yugoslavia that declared independence from Serbia in 2008. No Albanian fans were allowed to attend the match, in an effort to ensure safety. The sports European governing body said it would investigate, and the incident could lead to serious repercussions. Here's what happened:
Serbian emotions were high, with fans burning a NATO flag in the stands during the action. As a precaution, no Albanian fans had been allowed to attend the match.
2/14 Serbian emotions were high, with fans burning a NATO flag in the stands during the action. As a precaution, no Albanian fans had been allowed to attend the match.
A UEFA qualifying match for the Euro 2016 football tournament was suspended on October 14 after fighting broke out between players, team officials, and fans at Partizan stadium in Belgrade. Tensions were high before the match, which marked the Albanian squad's first trip to Belgrade since the 1960s and Serbian nerves still raw over the sovereignty of Kosovo, the majority ethnic Albanian region of the former Yugoslavia that declared independence from Serbia in 2008. No Albanian fans were allowed to attend the match, in an effort to ensure safety. The sports European governing body said it would investigate, and the incident could lead to serious repercussions. Here's what happened:
The teams played through one stoppage and nearly 40 minutes of scoreless football until flares thrown toward the Albanian players interrupted play.
3/14 The teams played through one stoppage and nearly 40 minutes of scoreless football until flares thrown toward the Albanian players interrupted play.
A UEFA qualifying match for the Euro 2016 football tournament was suspended on October 14 after fighting broke out between players, team officials, and fans at Partizan stadium in Belgrade. Tensions were high before the match, which marked the Albanian squad's first trip to Belgrade since the 1960s and Serbian nerves still raw over the sovereignty of Kosovo, the majority ethnic Albanian region of the former Yugoslavia that declared independence from Serbia in 2008. No Albanian fans were allowed to attend the match, in an effort to ensure safety. The sports European governing body said it would investigate, and the incident could lead to serious repercussions. Here's what happened:
Then a seemingly remote-controlled drone appeared from the stands area, with a flag attached, before dropping low above the field on the Serbian side.
4/14 Then a seemingly remote-controlled drone appeared from the stands area, with a flag attached, before dropping low above the field on the Serbian side.
A UEFA qualifying match for the Euro 2016 football tournament was suspended on October 14 after fighting broke out between players, team officials, and fans at Partizan stadium in Belgrade. Tensions were high before the match, which marked the Albanian squad's first trip to Belgrade since the 1960s and Serbian nerves still raw over the sovereignty of Kosovo, the majority ethnic Albanian region of the former Yugoslavia that declared independence from Serbia in 2008. No Albanian fans were allowed to attend the match, in an effort to ensure safety. The sports European governing body said it would investigate, and the incident could lead to serious repercussions. Here's what happened:
As it approached the field, it became clear that a flag was bearing a "Greater Albania" emblem -- a notion that would extend to Kosovo.
5/14 As it approached the field, it became clear that a flag was bearing a "Greater Albania" emblem -- a notion that would extend to Kosovo.
A UEFA qualifying match for the Euro 2016 football tournament was suspended on October 14 after fighting broke out between players, team officials, and fans at Partizan stadium in Belgrade. Tensions were high before the match, which marked the Albanian squad's first trip to Belgrade since the 1960s and Serbian nerves still raw over the sovereignty of Kosovo, the majority ethnic Albanian region of the former Yugoslavia that declared independence from Serbia in 2008. No Albanian fans were allowed to attend the match, in an effort to ensure safety. The sports European governing body said it would investigate, and the incident could lead to serious repercussions. Here's what happened:
After the drone swooped very low over the players, Serbian defender Stefan Mitrovic leaped up and ripped the flag down.
6/14 After the drone swooped very low over the players, Serbian defender Stefan Mitrovic leaped up and ripped the flag down.
A UEFA qualifying match for the Euro 2016 football tournament was suspended on October 14 after fighting broke out between players, team officials, and fans at Partizan stadium in Belgrade. Tensions were high before the match, which marked the Albanian squad's first trip to Belgrade since the 1960s and Serbian nerves still raw over the sovereignty of Kosovo, the majority ethnic Albanian region of the former Yugoslavia that declared independence from Serbia in 2008. No Albanian fans were allowed to attend the match, in an effort to ensure safety. The sports European governing body said it would investigate, and the incident could lead to serious repercussions. Here's what happened:
Mitrovic was immediately confronted by Albanian players, one of whom pulled the flag away, as scuffles broke out and players, team officials, and fans stormed out onto the field.
7/14 Mitrovic was immediately confronted by Albanian players, one of whom pulled the flag away, as scuffles broke out and players, team officials, and fans stormed out onto the field.
A UEFA qualifying match for the Euro 2016 football tournament was suspended on October 14 after fighting broke out between players, team officials, and fans at Partizan stadium in Belgrade. Tensions were high before the match, which marked the Albanian squad's first trip to Belgrade since the 1960s and Serbian nerves still raw over the sovereignty of Kosovo, the majority ethnic Albanian region of the former Yugoslavia that declared independence from Serbia in 2008. No Albanian fans were allowed to attend the match, in an effort to ensure safety. The sports European governing body said it would investigate, and the incident could lead to serious repercussions. Here's what happened:
The scuffles grew more intense, and the local crowd reacted angrily...
8/14 The scuffles grew more intense, and the local crowd reacted angrily...
A UEFA qualifying match for the Euro 2016 football tournament was suspended on October 14 after fighting broke out between players, team officials, and fans at Partizan stadium in Belgrade. Tensions were high before the match, which marked the Albanian squad's first trip to Belgrade since the 1960s and Serbian nerves still raw over the sovereignty of Kosovo, the majority ethnic Albanian region of the former Yugoslavia that declared independence from Serbia in 2008. No Albanian fans were allowed to attend the match, in an effort to ensure safety. The sports European governing body said it would investigate, and the incident could lead to serious repercussions. Here's what happened:
...with some team officials and fans breaking through security and managing to approach and attack Albanian players.
9/14 ...with some team officials and fans breaking through security and managing to approach and attack Albanian players.
A UEFA qualifying match for the Euro 2016 football tournament was suspended on October 14 after fighting broke out between players, team officials, and fans at Partizan stadium in Belgrade. Tensions were high before the match, which marked the Albanian squad's first trip to Belgrade since the 1960s and Serbian nerves still raw over the sovereignty of Kosovo, the majority ethnic Albanian region of the former Yugoslavia that declared independence from Serbia in 2008. No Albanian fans were allowed to attend the match, in an effort to ensure safety. The sports European governing body said it would investigate, and the incident could lead to serious repercussions. Here's what happened:
After about a minute of dangerous chaos and the crowd seemingly at fever pitch but the worst of the violence seemingly over, the Albanian team broke for the tunnel.
10/14 After about a minute of dangerous chaos and the crowd seemingly at fever pitch but the worst of the violence seemingly over, the Albanian team broke for the tunnel.
A UEFA qualifying match for the Euro 2016 football tournament was suspended on October 14 after fighting broke out between players, team officials, and fans at Partizan stadium in Belgrade. Tensions were high before the match, which marked the Albanian squad's first trip to Belgrade since the 1960s and Serbian nerves still raw over the sovereignty of Kosovo, the majority ethnic Albanian region of the former Yugoslavia that declared independence from Serbia in 2008. No Albanian fans were allowed to attend the match, in an effort to ensure safety. The sports European governing body said it would investigate, and the incident could lead to serious repercussions. Here's what happened:
Albanian team officials reportedly told English referee Martin Atkinson that they were in neither any physical nor psychological state to play after the melee.
11/14 Albanian team officials reportedly told English referee Martin Atkinson that they were in neither any physical nor psychological state to play after the melee.
A UEFA qualifying match for the Euro 2016 football tournament was suspended on October 14 after fighting broke out between players, team officials, and fans at Partizan stadium in Belgrade. Tensions were high before the match, which marked the Albanian squad's first trip to Belgrade since the 1960s and Serbian nerves still raw over the sovereignty of Kosovo, the majority ethnic Albanian region of the former Yugoslavia that declared independence from Serbia in 2008. No Albanian fans were allowed to attend the match, in an effort to ensure safety. The sports European governing body said it would investigate, and the incident could lead to serious repercussions. Here's what happened:
Serbian riot police clashed with the fans during the match...
12/14 Serbian riot police clashed with the fans during the match...
A UEFA qualifying match for the Euro 2016 football tournament was suspended on October 14 after fighting broke out between players, team officials, and fans at Partizan stadium in Belgrade. Tensions were high before the match, which marked the Albanian squad's first trip to Belgrade since the 1960s and Serbian nerves still raw over the sovereignty of Kosovo, the majority ethnic Albanian region of the former Yugoslavia that declared independence from Serbia in 2008. No Albanian fans were allowed to attend the match, in an effort to ensure safety. The sports European governing body said it would investigate, and the incident could lead to serious repercussions. Here's what happened:
...and with the Partizan melee in the books, UEFA has said it will take a long, hard look at the incident and is likely to dole out punishment.
13/14 ...and with the Partizan melee in the books, UEFA has said it will take a long, hard look at the incident and is likely to dole out punishment.
A UEFA qualifying match for the Euro 2016 football tournament was suspended on October 14 after fighting broke out between players, team officials, and fans at Partizan stadium in Belgrade. Tensions were high before the match, which marked the Albanian squad's first trip to Belgrade since the 1960s and Serbian nerves still raw over the sovereignty of Kosovo, the majority ethnic Albanian region of the former Yugoslavia that declared independence from Serbia in 2008. No Albanian fans were allowed to attend the match, in an effort to ensure safety. The sports European governing body said it would investigate, and the incident could lead to serious repercussions. Here's what happened:
It was initially unclear who was responsible for the drone-and-flag that taunted the players and dove down near the field, but early unconfirmed reports in Serbian media blamed a brother of Albania's prime minister.
14/14 It was initially unclear who was responsible for the drone-and-flag that taunted the players and dove down near the field, but early unconfirmed reports in Serbian media blamed a brother of Albania's prime minister.
A UEFA qualifying match for the Euro 2016 football tournament was suspended on October 14 after fighting broke out between players, team officials, and fans at Partizan stadium in Belgrade. Tensions were high before the match, which marked the Albanian squad's first trip to Belgrade since the 1960s and Serbian nerves still raw over the sovereignty of Kosovo, the majority ethnic Albanian region of the former Yugoslavia that declared independence from Serbia in 2008. No Albanian fans were allowed to attend the match, in an effort to ensure safety. The sports European governing body said it would investigate, and the incident could lead to serious repercussions. Here's what happened:
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Albania's national soccer team has returned home to a hero's welcome after a Euro 2016 qualifying match in Belgrade was abandoned because players brawled over a flag stunt.

Thousands of cheering fans greeting the Albanian players as they returned to Tirana on October 15.

Meanwhile, Serbian officials on October 15 accused Albania of a deliberate political provocation after a drone flew an Albanian nationalist banner over the stadium in Belgrade during the match between the two Balkan rivals.

Serbian authorities say they are launching an investigation into who was responsible for operating the remote-controlled mini-drone.

UEFA, the European soccer body, says it will open disciplinary cases against Serbia and Albania over the violence that broke out on the pitch between the two teams.

Sepp Blatter, the president of FIFA, world soccer's governing body, tweeted: "Football should never be used for political messages. I strongly condemn what happened in Belgrade" on October 14.

The Group I game was interrupted when a "Greater Albania" banner was flown over the pitch by the drone near the end of the first half.

The teams fought, and Serbian fans stormed the field, after the drone flew low enough for a Serbian player to jump up and grab the banner -- which featured the double-headed black eagle of Albania's national flag emblazoned on a red map of Albania that had been enlarged with territory of its neighbors.

The rival Balkan nations have had turbulent relations, mainly over the ethnic Albanian-majority former Serbian province of Kosovo that unilaterally declared its independence from Belgrade in 2008.

Riot police moved onto the soccer pitch when about a dozen Serbian fans jumped from the stands to join the brawl.

Albanian fans had been banned from attending the match.

After a half-hour delay, English referee Martin Atkinson abandoned the game, which stood at 0-0.

Serbian state television (RTS) reported that Olsi Rama, the brother of Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, was arrested in the VIP box for allegedly instigating the flag stunt.

However, that report was not independently confirmed.

Edi Rama is scheduled to visit Belgrade next week for the first official visit there by an Albanian prime minister in 68 years.

With reporting by Reuters, AFP, and AP
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