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Football: Serbia and Albania Euro qualifier abandoned after protest

14 October 2014, 22:24 CET
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(BELGRADE) - The Euro 2016 qualifier between Serbia and Albania had to be abandoned in Belgrade on Tuesday when a drone sporting the Albanian flag flew over the stadium, sparking fury among fans and players.

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.

Relations between Tirana and Belgrade have been fragile over Kosovo, a former Serbian province, and the ethnic Albanian minority in southern Serbia, who often demand more autonomy.

In Belgrade, some see Tirana's interest as part of a plan aimed at creating a "Greater Albania" that would unite Albanian communities in Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro, Macedonia and southern Serbia.

Kosovo's independence has been recognised by more than 100 countries, including the United States and most European Union member states.

Kosovo, the former Serbian province comprised mainly of Albanians, proclaimed its unilateral independence in February 2008.

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