Serbia is facing the threat of playing matches behind closed doors on Wednesday after UEFA confirmed that it and Albania would be charged "over the shameful brawl that forced the abandonment of their European Championship qualifier," according to Ben Rumsby of the London TELEGRAPH. UEFA confirmed that "it had received reports on Tuesday night's disorder from Premier League referee Martin Atkinson, its match delegate, observer and security officer, and had passed them on to its disciplinary committee." A case "was poised to be opened against both teams for the politically-motivated violence that erupted" when a radio-controlled drone flew a "Greater Albania" flag over the pitch. UEFA President Michel Platini said, "Football is supposed to bring people together and our game should not be mixed with politics of any kind. The scenes in Belgrade last night were inexcusable" (TELEGRAPH, 10/15). In London, Owen Gibson wrote Serbia "has a history of crowd trouble and could face having to play several matches behind closed doors." Albania is also likely to be sanctioned "given that there is already a precedent for disciplining national associations for flags and banners flown by their supporters." It "was the refusal of the Albanian side to return to the pitch, having been threatened by fans and stewards, that resulted in the match being abandoned." Both teams "are also liable to be hit with hefty fines" (GUARDIAN, 10/15).
PLOT TWISTS: Also in London, Charter & Gardner wrote "in a twist more in keeping with a political thriller than a Euro 2016 qualifier, the brother of Albania’s prime minister has been accused of flying the drone that led to the abandonment of a politically charged match between his country and Serbia." Serbia’s interior ministry said that "Olsi Rama had been arrested over the incident, having been accused of controlling the drone from his seat in the stadium’s executive box." Olsi, the brother of PM Edi Rama, "returned to Tirana with the Albania team to a hero’s welcome from 3,000 flag-waving supporters" but amid "bitter" recriminations. He said he had "nothing to do with the drone." Olsi Rama said, “I don’t understand where this story came from. I was neither arrested nor detained. When the incident occurred the situation became chaotic, police were checking everyone" (LONDON TIMES, 10/15).
