Euro 2016 qualifier between Serbia and Albania abandoned after trouble

Serbia's match with Albania was abandoned after a drone carrying a political message sparked clashes involving players and fans on the Partizan Stadium pitch.

The Euro 2016 qualifier, refereed by English official Martin Atkinson, was suspended in the 41st minute at 0-0.

Trouble flared when a nationalist Albanian banner flew above the pitch and was caught by a Serbia player.

Albania players tried to take it before several fans broke onto the pitch.

Atkinson led the players off the field and, after a delay of around 30 minutes, Uefa confirmed the match had been abandoned.

Albanian fans had been banned from attending the qualifier between the two Balkan rival nations.

Serbia and Albania have a history of turbulent relations, predominantly in relation to the former Serbian province of Kosovo, which declared independence in 2008.

It has been recognised by the United States and major European Union countries, but Serbia refuses to do so, as do most ethnic Serbs inside Kosovo.

"It is a regretful situation on which we will report; the referee, myself and the security adviser. The circumstances were such that we couldn't continue the match," Uefa match delegate Harry Been said.

Some fans invaded the pitch following the clash between the players in the Euro 2016 qualifier

"You all saw what happened and I cannot comment on who is to blame or what to blame. I will submit a report with my colleagues to Uefa and Uefa will decide what will happen further."

Serbian national broadcaster RTS reported that Olsi Rama, the brother of Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, was arrested in the stadium's VIP box for instigating the drone stunt, but he later denied that was the case.

Serbian B92 Television journalist Milos Saranovic, who was at the match, told BBC Sport: "The whole atmosphere before the game was that Serbia and Albania was more politically sensitive than any other game.

"I cannot remember for years so many police at the stadium. Everything looked like a situation that is not normal.

"One small stupid situation made an explosion - that is the shortest way to describe the incident of the night.

"The players have usually been able to keep the atmosphere on the pitch normal. The game was normal for 40 minutes with no small accident on the pitch but when that flag appeared, the heat was going up."

Albania had been looking for their second win in Group I, having started the day top with four points.

Denmark, in second place before Tuesday's games, lost to Portugal, with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring a last-minute goal in a 1-0 win.

In other matches, Switzerland beat San Marino 4-0 in Group E - England's group - while Gibraltar lost 3-0 to Georgia in Group D. In that section's other games, Scotland drew 2-2 in Poland while the Republic of Ireland drew 1-1 in Germany.

Northern Ireland recorded their third win in as many games to beat Greece 2-0 and top Group F with nine points.

Finally, in Group F, Hungary edged Faroe Islands 1-0 and Romania won 2-0 in Finland.

Stefan Mitrovic pulled down the flag before Albania players tried to grab it back

A skirmish between Serbian and Albanian players broke out on the pitch

Albania players leave the pitch during the Euro 2016 Group I game against Serbia

Serbian riot police surround Serbian supporters after a fight broke out on the pitch

A masked supporter pulls the drone that had carried the flag over the pitch