“A NATIONS LEAGUE match was ABANDONED as one team stormed off in protest after fighting on the pitch and chants from fans. Kosovo players reportedly took offence at controversial taunts from the Romanian home crowd in stoppage time. 7 Kosovo players showed their anger and decided to walk off Credit: EPA 7 Romania players were”, — write: www.thesun.co.uk
Kosovo players reportedly took offence at controversial taunts from the Romanian home crowd in stoppage time.
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Kosovo players showed their anger and decided to walk offCredit: EPA
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Romania players were left bemused and alone on the pitchCredit: EPA
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Riot police moved in front of the stands in a chaotic finish to the nightCredit: EPA
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Confusion reigned as Kosovo players and staff went offCredit: Reuters
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Flares were seen amongst Romanian fansThe Romanian team waited for nearly 40 minutes to see if their opponents would return at the National Arena.
Kosovo were then given an ultimatum to return within five minutes.
And when that didn’t happen, it’s understood the home team were told to get back out in full kit – so the final whistle could be blown in a farcical finish.
Meanwhile, the Kosovo players remained in their dressing room.
It’s uncertain what football chiefs will do now.
But although the score was locked at 0-0 four minutes into injury time when play stopped, there’s a chance the home side could be awarded the match 3-0.
Friction on the pitch whipped up the late tension in a traditionally-heated clash.
Players scuffled on the edge of the box and Romania’s Denis Alibec and Kosovo defender Amir Rrahmani had to be pulled apart.
Tottenham defender Radu Dragusin, a main man for the hosts, tried to intervene in the flare-up.
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Home players returned to warm up before the match was abandonedCredit: EPA
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Romania’s Spurs star Radu Dragusin intervened as things heated upCredit: EPAAnd more drama then erupted soon after, with the away team and staff striding off after chants from the stands.
Officials failed to dissuade the Kosovans from going all the way back into the dressing room.
Cue chaos – and eventually the match being called off.
The last clash between the sides – two months ago – also led to play being halted.
But on that occasion action resumed as Romania notched a 3-0 away win in the same competition.