December 4 – The Romanian Football Federation (FRF) has announced that it will appeal UEFA’s sanctions following incidents during the Nations League match between Romania and Kosovo in Bucharest on November 15.
The match at the National Arena stadium was abandoned after Kosovo players walked off the pitch after Romanian fans chanted ‘Serbia, Serbia’ as the game moved into injury time.
UEFA ultimately awarded Romania a 3-0 victory but fined the Romanian Football Federation with a hefty €128,000 and a match in front of empty stands. The Kosovar FA also incurred a €6,000 fine for “the improper conduct of its team” after five players received yellow cards in the game, the same number as Romania.
The Romanian FA believes Kosovo’s punishment is too light and has appealed UEFA’s decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
“Kosovo violated the most important principle in football, namely that the match be played on the field. However, the Kosovo team was not sanctioned. Instead, we received some fines and a sanction that we consider too high,” said Răzvan Burleanu, president of the Romanian Football Federation.
“The Romanian Football Federation announces that it will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport the decision taken by UEFA following the incidents that occurred during the Romania – Kosovo match, played on November 15, 2024, at the National Arena in Bucharest,” said a federation statement.
“The match did not end on the field, after the away team refused to continue the game with less than two minutes left in extra time. The referee was forced to blow the whistle to end the match after a wait of over an hour, during which only the Romanian team remained on the field.
“The FRF considers that the sanctions imposed by UEFA are unjustified and draws attention to the lack of measures against the Kosovo Federation.
“The Romanian Football Federation emphasizes that the Romanian fans had a civilized behaviour during the match and that they were provoked, there is more evidence in this regard. Through this approach, the FRF wants to protect the image of Romanian football and fight for the respect of the principles of fair play.”
Contact the writer of this story, Aleksander Krassimirov, at moc.l1734896162labto1734896162ofdlr1734896162owedi1734896162sni@o1734896162fni1734896162