The Euro 2016 qualifier between Serbia and Albania had to be abandoned in Belgrade on Tuesday (Oct 14) when a drone sporting the Albanian flag flew over the stadium, sparking fury among fans and players, AFP reports.
The Group I tie was halted in the 41st minute after the appearance of the flag triggered clashes between the two teams on the pitch. Serbian fans hurled smoke bombs and other missiles onto the pitch in protest in a game from which Albanian fans had been barred.
Serbian defender Stefan Mitrovic pulled down a flag carried by a drone – leading to chaos on the field and in the stands of the Partizan Stadium.
UEFA banned Albania fans from attending the Group I clash in Belgrade but elected to allow the two countries to face each other, despite long-standing political tensions.
And when away supporters flew their national flag – accompanied by a map of Kosovo and the message ‘autochthonous’, meaning indigenous – above the pitch using a remote-operated drone, Mitrovic’s actions led to fighting between players and officials and havoc in the stands, according to Daily Mail.
