Sports, archive

Albania rejects 'unfair' UEFA ruling

Team demands three points from abandoned Euro 2016 qualifier against Serbia.

24.10.2014 - Update : 24.10.2014
Albania rejects 'unfair' UEFA ruling

TIRANA 

Punishments laid down by UEFA over an abandoned Euro 2016 qualifier match were described as "unfair" by the Albanian Football Association on Friday.

Albania spokesman Artan Heydari said: "Our struggle will go on. Three points should have been given to us."

UEFA's disciplinary body has penalized both the Serbian and Albanian football associations and fined them €100,000 ($126,000) each following the abandonment of last week's UEFA Euro 2016 qualifier Group I match in Belgrade amid a mass outbreak of violence and a pitch invasion.

Serbia won the match 3 - 0 after the game on October 14 was declared forfeit by UEFA's Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body on Friday. However, Serbia was then docked three points.

Albania head coach Gianni De Biasi said that his side deserved to have the three points and described the decision as “disappointing and unfair.”

Biasi called for a UEFA review of the decision.

According to a UEFA statement, the body’s disciplinary arm removed three points from the Serbian Football Association and ordered it to play their next two UEFA competition home matches behind closed doors.

Serbia is to host Denmark on November 14 and Armenia on September 4, 2015 in qualifying matches.

Last week’s turbulent Euro 2016 qualifier was abandoned after large numbers of Serbian fans ignited fireworks and invaded the pitch.

The unrest came after a remote-controlled drone carrying the flag of Greater Albania – including disputed Kosovo, which declared independence from Serbia in 2008 and has a majority ethnic-Albanian population – appeared above the pitch in the 44th minute.

Serbian defender Stefan Mitrovic grabbed the flag which led to a fight between players and team officials from both sides while fans clashed with police.

www.aa.com.tr/en

Anadolu Agency website contains only a portion of the news stories offered to subscribers in the AA News Broadcasting System (HAS), and in summarized form. Please contact us for subscription options.
Related topics
Bu haberi paylaşın