FRF, fined by UEFA after incidents at the match against Kosovo. The match against Andorra will be played behind closed doors

UEFA’s Disciplinary Commission delivered its verdict on Wednesday, September 20th, after the incidents at the Romania – Kosovo match, writes Gazeta Sporturilor. The Romanian Football Federation received a fine of 52,000 euros.

In addition, UEFA has decided, the next home match of the Romanian national football team, the one against Andorra, scheduled on October 15, at 21:45, will take place with closed doors.

“However, FRF has decided to allow free access to children under 14 years old, organized in groups, from preschool and school education units, football schools, junior groups of football clubs, with only one companion for each group of 10 children. The full registration procedure will be announced in the coming days,” the Federation said in a press release.

The same happened in October 2019, when only children had access to the match against Norway, 1-1, in the EURO 2020 qualifiers.

The match Romania – Kosovo (2-0), played last Tuesday, was interrupted in the 18th minute and resumed after almost an hour. Supporters in Romania’s gallery displayed a message with political connotations, which they repeatedly chanted: “Kosovo is Serbia”. Their actions injured Kosovo players, who left the pitch.

The French referee suspended the match for “discriminatory behaviour”, sending the Romanian players to the changing rooms. Play resumed after 50 minutes, during which time the banner in the stands was removed.

Charges against Romania

FRF also published the charges against Romania:

Display and chant political messages;
Racist behavior of supporters;
Lighting torches;
Throwing objects on the ground;
Blocking public access areas.

“The Romanian Football Federation rejects the irresponsible behavior of the group of spectators on the South Lawn that led to the interruption of the match against Kosovo and reiterates the principle by which football is governed in Romania, namely the non-interference of politics in the sporting act. The FRF also strongly condemns provocative messages of a political, ideological, religious or insulting nature, which are categorically prohibited in stadiums,” FRF said in a statement.

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