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Albania penalized with technical defeat for October 14 Euro qualifier against Serbia

Both football associations of Serbia and Albania were also ordered by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) to pay €100,000 ($126,500) each in fines

BELGRADE, October 24. /TASS/. The Albanian national football squad was penalized with a technical defeat in the 2016 Euro Cup qualifier against Serbia in Belgrade on October 14, when the match was stopped due to the erupted scuffle involving players from both teams and their fans, the Football Association of Serbia (FSS) reported on Friday.

The Serbian team was ordered to play its two next home qualifiers for the 2016 Euro Cup in France in an empty stadium and was also deprived of three points in its qualification group

Both football associations of Serbia and Albania were also ordered by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) to pay €100,000 ($126,500) each in fines.

The Group I match on October 14 at the Partizan Stadium in Belgrade was stopped shortly before the half-time break as the match plunged into chaos when a drone flying a pro-Albania banner hovered over the stadium’s pitch.

Chaos escalated after Serbia defender Stefan Mitrovic tore down the banner from the drone and players from both teams entered in a brawl, while various objects were cast at them from the spectators’ stands and subsequently numerous fans broke through security cordons invading the pitch and joining the melee.

Next day after the match UEFA said in its statement, “Disciplinary proceedings have been opened against the Football Association of Serbia (FSS) for the setting off/throwing of fireworks and missiles, crowd disturbance, field invasion by supporters, insufficient organization and use of a laser pointer.”

“Proceedings have also been opened against the Football Association of Albania (FShF) for refusing to play and the display of an illicit banner,” the statement added.