The Romanian and Kosovar national soccer teams were taken off the field by an interruption of their European Championship qualifier in Bucharest on September 12 after fans targeted the visiting Kosovo players with a pro-Serbia banner and chants of "Kosovo is Serbia." European soccer governing body UEFA announced the suspension on its website. Kosovo is a former Serbian province that declared independence in 2008 and is recognized by more than 100 countries. After a 45-minute delay, UEFA announced that "The match has resumed after play was suspended due to discriminatory behavior from some supporters." To read the original story by RFE/RL's Balkan Service, click here.
Romania, Kosovo Euro Qualifier Interrupted By Pro-Serbia Chants
Romanian fans display banners reading (in Serbian) "Kosovo is Serbia" and (in Romanian) "Bessarabia is Romania" during the EURO 2024 qualifying match between Romania and Kosovo in Bucharest on September 12.