Serbia, Albania to be charged

[sake]

Serbia and Albania are set to be charged by UEFA later on Wednesday following the politically motivated brawl which caused Tuesday's Euro 2016 qualifier in Belgrade to be abandoned.
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Serbia defender Stefan Mitrovic grabs the flag flown over the pitch by a drone
Serbia defender Stefan Mitrovic grabs the flag flown over the pitch by a drone

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Scuffles between players erupted after a small unmanned drone trailed a pro-Albania banner over the the Partizan Stadium pitch and the flag was hauled down by Serbia defender Stefan Mitrovic.

The Group I encounter, which went ahead despite long-standing political tensions between the two nations, then became a melee involving players from both teams.

English referee Martin Atkinson led the teams off the field as disruption in the stands threatened to boil over, with objects being thrown onto the pitch at Albanian players.

UEFA president Michel Platini labelled the scenes "inexcusable''.

The Frenchman said in a statement: "Football is supposed to bring people together and our game should not be mixed with politics of any kind. The scenes in Belgrade last night were inexcusable.''

Neither country had requested they be kept apart in the draw, and nor did the other main criteria which also persuade UEFA to keep them separate - being involved in an armed conflict and not having diplomatic relations - apply.

UEFA did keep apart Russia and Ukraine, Spain and Gibraltar and Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Albanian supporters had been banned from entering the stadium by UEFA on safety grounds and the match was set against a backdrop of tight security.

Tensions have never been far from the surface between the nations over Kosovo, the province with which both countries share a disputed border and is recognised as independent by the United States and major European Union countries but not by Serbia - a bone of contention with Albania.

Albania's captain Lorik Cana told Albanian television his players were attacked by stewards inside the tunnel.

The Albania squad returned to a heroes' reception, with up to 3,000 flag-waving supporters gathering outside Tirana's airport to welcome the team home.

Albanian prime minister Edi Rama praised the players on Twitter for "the pride and joy they gave us''.

Rama is next week due to become the first Albanian prime minister in 68 years to visit Belgrade.