Romania DECIMATES Kosovo in Nations League Soccer Match, Kosovo team CRIES and ABANDONS field
Sometimes you have to call a bluff.
The football match intended to occur on November 15, 2024 was abandoned due to improper conduct of the Kosovo Football Federation. The UEFA, Europe's governing body for football (um soccer actually) fined the team 6,000 Euros for this embarrasing blunder. The UEFA awarded the game to Romania.
UEFA Declares Romania Winner After Football Match Abandoned by Kosovo | Balkan Insight
The team abandoned the field after 93 minutes, because they were intimidated by pro-Serbian chants in the stands. The Kosovo team did not reappear even as the Romanian team and referee waited patiently for 50 minutes.
The UEFA subsequently fined the Romanian Football Federation 128,000 euros for "discriminatory behaviours of its supporters" and 30,000 more for "transmitting provocative political messages not fit for a sports event." It is certain this measure will increase the respect of Romanians for Kosovo.
The UEFA ordered that the next Romanian-hosted game must not have fans present.
The Romanian Football Federation denied the UEFA claims, saying "there were no racist chants during the match, nor was the slogan ‘Kosovo is Serbia’ chanted even once." They can appeal the decision at the Lausanne Court of Arbitration for Sports.