Romania vs Kosovo: A Controversial Match Ends in Chaos
Friday night’s Romania vs Kosovo match ended in uncertainty after Kosovar players walked off the field in the final minute of extra time. This came after chants of “Serbia, Serbia!” erupted at the National Arena during a heated conflict between Denis Alibec and Amir Rrahmani, which the referee had resolved with two yellow cards.
The Abandoned Match
Attendance: 48,957 spectators
The game ended with the referee returning to the field and blowing the final whistle at 00:51.
In the last minute of extra time, with the score tied at 0-0, Kosovo players walked off the field and refused to return from the locker rooms.
The chaos ensued after a heated altercation between Alibec and Rrahmani, where the Kosovar player grabbed the attacker by the throat, and Alibec retaliated with a slap to the Napoli defender’s face.
The situation escalated, with almost all players on the field getting involved in a scuffle, only to be separated by the referee.
Romania vs Kosovo: The Provocation
Romanian ultras reacted by chanting “Serbia, Serbia!” in response to the Kosovar players. Dellova and Vojvoda from Kosovo did not back down and taunted the Romanians by displaying the “Albanian eagle” symbol.
This symbol, found on the Albanian flag, is seen as a provocation towards Serbia, the country from which Kosovo declared independence.
Starting Lineups
Romania: Niță – Rațiu, Drăgușin, Burcă, Bancu – R. Marin, M. Marin, Stanciu – Man, Mihăilă – Drăguș
Manager: Mircea Lucescu
Kosovo: Muric – Vojvoda, Rrahmani, Dellova, Hadergjonaj – Emerllahu, Jashiri – Rexhbecaj, Zhegrova, Berisha – Muriqi
Manager: Franco Foda
Group 2 Standings, League C
| Position | Team | Matches | Points |
| 1. | Romania | 4 | 12 |
| 2. | Kosovo | 4 | 9 |
| 3. | Cyprus | 4 | 3 |
| 4. | Lithuania | 4 | 0 |
- The top team promotes to League B, while the bottom team is relegated to League D
- The team in 2nd place will play a promotion/relegation playoff against one of the 3rd-placed teams from League B
Romania’s national team manager, Mircea Lucescu, approached the match against Kosovo with caution.
The respected coach praised Franco Foda’s national team, highlighting the valuable players who compete in Europe’s top leagues (Premier League, La Liga, Ligue 1, Bundesliga, and Serie A).
“Kosovo is an extraordinary team that can win against any opponent. They are all players who play for big teams in Western Europe. They haven’t managed to form a very strong group because they are all scattered in different directions, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t a good team,” Lucescu said at a press conference.
“There are no more differences, we imagine there are. Lithuania had 6-7 players who played in very strong leagues, Cyprus as well. It’s not like before. Children leave their countries early, go to big academies in Western Europe, then come back and play for the national team. I wouldn’t want people to think it’s easy, it’s very hard, every match is very important,” the Romanian coach added.
Conclusion
The Romania vs Kosovo match ended in controversy and chaos, highlighting the deep-rooted tensions between the two nations. The events on the field mirrored the political complexities surrounding Kosovo’s declaration of independence from Serbia. As both teams navigate the competitive landscape of international football, the repercussions of this match are sure to resonate for some time.
FAQs
What led to the abandonment of the Romania vs Kosovo match?
The match was abandoned after Kosovo players walked off the field in the final minute of extra time following a heated altercation between players and provocative chants from the crowd.
What are the implications of this match on the standings?
The outcome of this match could have significant implications on the Group 2 standings in League C, with the top team advancing to a higher league and the bottom team facing relegation.