Albania-Serbia football violence catches EU attention

Violence erupted during a football match between Albania and Serbia on 14 October 2014, as Albanian players and Serb fans fought on the pitch in Belgrade after drone with an Albanian flag appeared in the air.

The flag showed a greater Albania, including territorial claims on Serbia, and two Albanian patriots from a century ago.

The incident sparked several reactions by politicians and diplomats from both sides. A spokesperson for the EU High Representative on Foreign Policy criticised the flag stunt.

A visit by Albania's prime minister to Serbia was postponed as a result of the rise in nationalist tensions between the two countries.

On 24 October, UEFA's disciplinary committee decided to sanction both teams, with Serbia and Albania each being fined €100,000 (£78,000) and the home side being awarded a 3-0 victory. However neither side got any points, because Serbia was also docked three points.

The Guardian, 15.10.14: Belgrade chaos fed off centuries of rivalry between Serbia and Albania http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/oct/15/belgrade-chao-centuries-rivalry-serbia-albania

The Guardian, 15.10.14: Uefa defends decision not to keep Serbia and Albania apart after brawl http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/oct/15/uefa-defends-decision-serbia-albania-mass-brawl

France24, 15.10.14: Serbia-Albania football match abandoned after stadium brawl http://www.france24.com/en/20141015-serbia-albania-football-match-abandoned-after-stadium-brawl/

Euronews, 15.10.14: Mini-drone turns Serbia-Albania football match into Balkans bust-up http://www.euronews.com/2014/10/15/mini-drone-turns-serbia-albania-football-match-into-balkans-bust-up/

The Guardian [Opinion], 15.10.14: Balkan nationalism has been reawoken by the attack of the drone http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/oct/15/balkan-nationalism-drone-football-serbia-albania

EurActiv, 16.10.14: Football violence reveals Serbia-Albania tensions http://www.euractiv.com/sections/enlargement/football-violence-highlights-serbia-albania-tensions-309246

France24, 17.10.14: Albania-Serbia nationalist tensions rise http://www.euronews.com/2014/10/17/albania-serbia-nationalist-tensions-rise/

Deutsche Welle, 19.10.14: Albanian prime minister's Serbia trip postponed after football incidents http://dw.de/p/1DYUU

The Conversation, 16.10.14: Albania v Serbia football drone farce shows Balkan nationalism is still a dangerous powder keg https://theconversation.com/albania-v-serbia-football-drone-farce-shows-balkan-nationalism-is-still-a-dangerous-powder-keg-33101

Balkan Insight, 20.10.14: Albanian PM’s Visit to Belgrade Postponed http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/albanian-pm-s-visit-to-belgrade-postponed

Deutsche Welle, 22.10.14: Albania's Prime Minister Edi Rama: 'The past cannot hold us back' http://dw.de/p/1Da0E

The Guardian, 24.10.14: Serbia awarded win over Albania but docked three points by Uefa http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/oct/24/serbia-albania-euro-2016-uefa-sanctions

Balkan Insight, 24.10.14: UEFA Ruling on Serbia Causes Fury in Albania http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/uefa-hands-down-punishment-on-serbia-and-albania

BBC Sport, 24.10.14: Serbia awarded Albania walkover after violence at Euro qualifier http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29753007

Deutsche Welle, 15.10.14: 'Albanian PM's brother arrested' as Euro qualifier with Serbia abandoned http://dw.de/p/1DVid

The Guardian, 15.10.14: Albania and Serbia face Uefa sanctions after abandoned ‘drone’ game http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/oct/15/albania-charged-uefa-serbia

openDemocracy: Can Europe Make It?: Tag: A Balkan farce https://www.opendemocracy.net/can-europe-make-it/balkan-farce-serbia-vs-albania

Euro|Topics, 16.10.14: Scandal match between Serbia and Albania http://archiv.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/archiv_dossier/DOSSIER152096-Scandal-match-between-Serbia-and-Albania

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