Romania & Kosovo face Uefa disciplinary action over abandoned game

The two teams argued before Kosovo left the pitch

Uefa has opened disciplinary proceedings against Romania and Kosovo after the Nations League match in Bucharest was abanonded in stoppage time following home fans allegedly shouting "Serbia".

Kosovo players left the pitch at 0-0 with only seconds remaining and the match was initially suspended before being abandoned an hour later after they did not return.

The Kosovan Football Federation (FFK) accused Romania fans of "irresponsible and discriminatory behaviour" that forced their players to leave the field because of a "lack of safety and dignity".

The Romanian Football Federation (FRF) claimed there were "no racist chants during the match" and called Kosovo's decision to walk off "regrettable".

In a statement, European football's governing body Uefa said "disciplinary proceedings have been instigated" against both federations.

It added: "Further information about these proceedings will be made available in due course."

Kosovo unilaterally declared independence from Serbia in February 2008, following years of strained relations between its Serb and mainly Albanian inhabitants

After the break-up of Yugoslavia in the 1990s, Kosovo sought independence and Serbia responded with a brutal crackdown against ethnic Albanians that ended in 1999 after a Nato bombing campaign against Serbia.

Kosovo's independence is recognised by 100 countries, including the United Kingdom, but not by Romania and Serbia.

Kosovo and Serbia are always kept apart in Uefa and Fifa competitions.

The FFK claimed its players faced "offensive and provocative actions" throughout the match, including chants of 'Kosovo is Serbia', whistling during the national anthem and objects being thrown.

It said this created an "unacceptable atmosphere not safe for our players".

The FFK also claimed it had warned Uefa about "the possibility of such actions" by Romania fans.

The FRF insisted 'Kosovo is Serbia' was not chanted at all.

BBC Sport has contacted Uefa for comment on these claims by both federations.

A Euro 2024 qualifier between the two sides in September 2023 in Bucharest was suspended for 50 minutes after provocative chanting from a section of Romania fans.

Uefa fined the FRF 40,000 euros (£33,400) and ordered Romania to play their next home game behind closed doors.

The Kosovan Football Federation was fined 61,000 euros (£50,900) by Uefa last month for fan misconduct when their national team hosted Romania in a Nations League match in September.

The match was interrupted several times as fans threw flares, invaded the pitch and whistled during the Romanian national anthem.