This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen
on .
It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
Albanian FA claims Serbian police attacked players after abandoned match
Albanian FA claims Serbian police attacked players after abandoned match
(about 9 hours later)
The Albanian Football Association has released a detailed statement that alleges its president, Armando Duka, was hit with a piece of concrete and players were attacked by supporters, security personnel and the police after the Euro 2016 qualifier against Serbia in Belgrade on Tuesday.
The Albanian Football Association has stated its players were attacked by police and stewards as well as by opposition supporters during the violence that marred the Euro 2016 qualifier against Serbia, with Lorik Cana claiming it was “a miracle” that no one was seriously injured.
Uefa has charged both the Serbian and Albanian FAs after the match held at Partizan Stadium was abandoned by the English referee Martin Atkinson following a mass brawl, triggered when a drone carrying the insignia of so-called “Greater Albania” was flown over the field of play.
Tuesday night’s match in Belgrade descended into chaos and was abandoned by the English referee Martin Atkinson after a remote-controlled drone carrying the insignia of so-called “Greater Albania” flew over the pitch. Uefa has charged both nations following the ensuing mass brawl but the controversy continued on Thursday.
On Wednesday, the Serbian FA accused their opponents of a “pre-planned terrorist action” and blamed Albania’s players for refusing to re-start the match. However the statement posted on the Albania FA’s website on Thursday morning hit back by describing the chaotic scenes that marred their visit to the Serbian capital.
A statement released by the Albanian FA accused stewards and police officers of attacking players who were retreating down the tunnel. It also alleges that its president, Armando Duka, was hit with a piece of concrete. Cana, the Albania captain, claimed “our lives were in danger”.
“Making our way to the stadium the Albania side’s bus was hit with stones thrown by Serbian fans,” it begins. “Before the team warm-up, a part of the Albanian delegation led by the AFA president, Mr Armando Duka, was hit with a piece of concrete which was received as evidence by the Uefa delegate present.
“Making their way to the dressing rooms, in the tunnel, Albania players were repeatedly hit by Serbia supporters, security personnel and the police,” read the statement. “Also, before the Albanian players were allowed to leave the stadium, with orders from Belgrade prosecutor general (according to the police) the entire staff and players of the Albania national side were physically searched. Police went through each member’s and player’s personal belongings.”
“Each time the team or a member of the team appeared on the pitch, the atmosphere became extremely hostile and aggressive on the part of Serbia supporters. At the end of warm-up Albanian players were hit by a shower of coins, lighters and other objects thrown at them as they were making their way to the tunnel that takes players inside.”
It was the first match between the two sides in the Serbian capital since 1967 but, despite the tension between the nations following the Kosovo conflict and that disputed territory’s independence in 2008, Uefa did not keep the teams apart in the qualifying draw.
The statement continues: “For the entire duration of warm-ups before the game, the offensive chants of 30,000 strong repeated ‘Kill the Albanians’ and ‘Death to Albanians’. Tens of Serbian supporters went over the lateral fence at the left side and were not apprehended by police for the entire duration of the minutes played.
The European governing body, which is expected to severely punish both Serbia and Albania, does separate certain sides – including Russia and Georgia and Spain and Gibraltar – citing three determining criteria: whether two nations have normal diplomatic relations, whether there is an ongoing military or armed conflict; and whether there has been a request made by either association.
“Before the national anthems were played the official band played a nationalistic march, that was not part of the program, which created extreme chauvinistic emotions in the stands. The Albanian anthem was terribly booed and whistled over, so much so that it was impossible to hear it in the stands or on television.
However, Cana told L’Equipe that it “was a miracle that we only had six or seven injured.”“If you saw some of the bodies – they really caught it. What would have happened if instead of a chair, it had been a knife? Our lives were in danger.”
“Stones, hard objects, lighters and pyrotechnics were thrown in the pitch, negatively influencing the game atmosphere, as it was made evident by video footage. Three Albanian players that got up to warm-up during the game were hit by hard objects, causing Uefa official to move them further away from the stands.”
In a separate interview with BBC radio 5 live the Lazio defender claimed that he was personally struck by an official. He said: “I got hit twice on the pitch by a steward, some of my teammates as well. And after, when we were trying to reach the tunnel, that was I think the most dangerous part because the fans were throwing everything on us – stones, batteries and everything was very, very dangerous. Some of my team-mates were hurt on the face, on the back. Some of us were kicked by some fans coming in and in that moment, in that tunnel, it was a kind of chaos.”
There is no mention of the remote-controlled drone that caused Atkinson to halt proceedings in the 42nd minute of the match, although the statement goes on to allege police and stewards were involved in clashes with players once Albania’s captain, Lorik Cana, had led them from the pitch.
The Serbian interior minister, Nebojsa Stefanovic, said on Thursday that Albania was “not mature enough” to join the EU casting doubt on a planned visit next week from the Albanian prime minister, Edi Rama, to Belgrade, the first such trip in 70 years.
“Civilians entered the pitch causing a melee, punching Albania players and hitting them with stools. Furthermore, our players were also hit by stewards and security personnel serving at the game.
No away supporters were permitted to purchase tickets for the match, with the Albanian statement describing in detail its version of events in the buildup to, and after, kick-off. It said: “Making our way to the stadium the Albania side bus was hit with stones thrown by Serbian fans. Before the team warm-up, a part of the Albanian delegation led by the AFA president Mr Armando Duka was hit with a piece of concrete which was received as evidence by the Uefa delegate present.
“Making their way to the dressing rooms, in the tunnel, Albania players were repeatedly hit by Serbia supporters, security personnel and the police.
“Each time the team or a member of the team appeared on the pitch, the atmosphere became extremely hostile and aggressive on the part of Serbia supporters. At the end of warm-up Albanian players were hit by a shower of coins, lighters and other objects thrown at them as they were making their way to the tunnel that takes players inside. For the entire duration of warm-ups before the game, the offensive chants of 30,000 strong repeated ‘Kill the Albanians’ and ‘Death to Albanians’. Tens of Serbian supporters went over the lateral fence at the left side and were not apprehended by police for the entire duration of the minutes played.”
“Also, before the Albanian players were allowed to leave the stadium, with orders from Belgrade prosecutor general (according to the police) the entire staff and players of the Albania national side were physically searched. Police went through each member’s and player’s personal belongings.
The Serbian Football Association has blamed Albania for the violence and described the drone incident as an act of terrorism. Michel Platini, the Uefa president, said the remarkable scenes on Tuesday were “inexcusable”.
“The AFA is of the opinion that the above mentioned actions negatively impacted the normal conduct of the match, which was ultimately abandoned.”
Meanwhile, Serbia’s interior minister said on Thursday that Albania was “not mature enough” to join the European Union, stepping up a war of words over the drone stunt.
Nebojsa Stefanovic’s remarks cast further doubt on a scheduled visit by Albania’s prime minister, Edi Rama, to Belgrade next week – the first by an Albanian leader in almost 70 years.
The countries have long had a turbulent relationship, centred on Serbia’s majority-Albanian former province of Kosovo, which declared independence in 2008.
Serbia has pinned the blame on a cluster of Albanian fans in the VIP stand of the stadium, including Rama’s brother, Orfi, who were granted entrance despite a ban on ordinary Albanian fans over security concerns.
“Police have found the drone and will forward it for expert analysis to determine its producer and where it was purchased,” Stefanovic said in a statement.
“Statements by leaders of the Albanian government demonstrate that they knew such a provocation was being prepared.
“If Albania believes that European values are the values of so-called ‘Greater Albania’, then the Serbian Republic cannot share them by any means, and hence we believe that they are not mature enough as a state to join the European family.”
The remarks are unlikely to please Albania, with the prime minister due to visit Belgrade on 22 October. The visit had been hailed as opening a new chapter in otherwise fraught relations. Both countries aim to one day join the European Union. Albania is already a member of Nato.
