UEFA awards Romania a 3-0 win over Kosovo for the abandoned UNL match
On November 20, 2024, the UEFA Nations League match between Romania and Kosovo took an unexpected turn, bringing to light the relationship between politics, sportsmanship, and football. When Kosovo players left the field to protest alleged racist chanting by Romanian spectators, the game was called off. In addition to giving Romania a 3-0 victory, UEFA’s disciplinary ruling imposed severe penalties, demonstrating the organization’s dedication to upholding sports integrity. The events, penalties, and wider ramifications of this contentious encounter are examined in this article.
What Happened in Bucharest?
“Serbia! Serbia!” chants broke out from parts of the Romanian crowd in the 92nd minute when the score was tied at 0-0. These cries came after a brawl broke out between Romanian striker Denis Alibec and Kosovo captain Amir Rrahmani. Rrahmani repeatedly told Danish referee Morten Krogh about the shouts and threatened to have his squad leave the field if the taunts persisted.
As promised, the Kosovar players left and made their way to the dressing room. The referee decided to end the play after an hour of discussion and the Kosovar team’s unwillingness to come back.
Later, Bajram Shala, the manager of the Kosovo national team, said:
“We decided not to participate in a match where the fundamental values of UEFA are not respected. Not only were the values not respected, but there was racial discrimination.”
The UEFA Nations League Group C2 match halted during stoppage time with the score tied at zero. Due to abusive chanting from Romanian supporters, including the politically sensitive phrase “Kosovo is Serbia,” Kosovo players left the field. Tensions between the two sides increased as a result of this contentious discussion.
UEFA determined enough proof of discriminatory behavior to penalize both teams, even though the Romanian Football Federation (FRF) denied any racist shouts during the game.
Romania’s Response
The Romanian team expressed dissatisfaction with Kosovo’s actions and the Romanian Football Federation (FRF) refuted the racist allegations, saying:
“It’s a regrettable gesture that the visiting team chose to leave the field… reflecting a lack of respect not only for football but also for the profession of footballers.”
Amidst the uproar, Romania’s players expressed gratitude to their supporters for their “extraordinary support.” However, due to their behavior, the Romanian Gendarmerie announced that nine spectators were banned for up to a year and thirteen others were fined.
UEFA’s Verdict and Sanctions
UEFA gave Romania a 3-0 victory after concluding that Kosovo was to blame for the game’s withdrawal. With 15 points, the ruling solidified Romania’s lead in Group C2, while Kosovo’s 12 points kept them in second place.
Penalties Imposed
Romania –
- Fine: €128,000 fine for aggressive political statements, xenophobic anti-Hungarian chants, and interference with national anthems.
- Stadium Ban: Romania’s next home game will have to be played in a private setting.Kosovo –
- Fine: €6,000 fine for players’ inappropriate behavior.
- Game Defeat: They were declared defaulters and thus lost the match to Romania.
History of Escalating Tensions
This is not the first time a match between Romania and Kosovo has generated controversy:
- In September 2023, a banner that said, “Kosovo is Serbia,” was displayed by Romanian supporters, causing a 50-minute disruption. In addition to fining the FRF, UEFA mandated that only youngsters under the age of 14 attend Romania’s next game.
- Again in October 2024, Kosovo supporters stormed the field, yelled racist epithets, and whistled at Romania’s anthem during the first leg in Pristina. For these acts, the FFK was fined €61,000.
The Political Context
After years of war and tense ties, Kosovo proclaimed its independence from Serbia in 2008. While more than 100 nations acknowledge Kosovo’s sovereignty, four EU members – Spain, Cyprus, Greece, and Slovakia – as well as Romania and Serbia do not.
“Kosovo is Serbia” is a slogan that reflects Serbia’s position and continues to provoke during international matches. Football games featuring Kosovo are frequently complicated by this ingrained political strain that overflows onto the field.
The Broader Impact
- Implications for Romania: With a good probability of moving on to Group B, Romania currently leads Group C2. Their momentum, meanwhile, might be impacted by the stadium ban for their upcoming home game.
- Kosovo’s challenges: The federation and players of Kosovo are under increasing pressure to control on-field conduct in the face of off-field provocations. The 3-0 setback reduces their prospects of passing Romania, even if they are still in second place in the group.
UEFA’s Stance on Discrimination
UEFA has reaffirmed that racism and xenophobia are unacceptable. It seeks to preserve the principles of fair play and sportsmanship by penalizing both teams. Repeated incidences, however, show that stronger regulations and more control are required to keep political issues from overshadowing the sport.
