UEFA Rules Kosovo to Forfeit Abandoned Nations League Match Against Romania

UEFA announced on Wednesday that Kosovo has forfeited their Nations League match against Romania after leaving the pitch in stoppage time due to pro-Serbia chants. The game in Bucharest was abandoned with a 0-0 scoreline after Kosovo players walked off following shouts of “Serbia” from the crowd.

UEFA’s ruling held the Kosovo football federation accountable for the match not being completed, awarding Romania a 3-0 victory by forfeit. This decision promotes Romania to League B of the competition as group winners, while Kosovo, finishing second, will enter a promotion play-off.

Additionally, the Kosovo FA was fined 6,000 euros for improper conduct, as five of their players received yellow cards, matching Romania’s count.

The Romanian football federation faced a 128,000-euro fine for multiple disciplinary violations. UEFA mandated that Romania’s next home game be played without spectators due to “racist” chants targeting Hungary. Other infractions included “provocative political messages,” disruptions during the Kosovar national anthem, object throwing, fireworks, laser pointers, and blocked public passageways.

Tensions between Kosovo and Serbia have lingered since the 1990s war between Serbian forces and ethnic Albanian insurgents. Kosovo and Serbia do not face each other in UEFA and FIFA tournaments. During the 2022 World Cup, FIFA opened disciplinary actions against Serbia for displaying a flag showing Kosovo as part of Serbia in their locker room.

Kosovo became a member of FIFA and UEFA in 2016.