Serbia-Albania Match Abandoned over Unrest, Flag-Waving Drone

A brawl between players on the pitch before the UEFA EURO 2016 group I qualifying soccer match between Serbia and Albania is suspended in Belgrade, Serbia, 14 October 2014. Photo by EPA/BGNES

Clashes between fans and players in Belgrade's Partizan Stadium forced referee Martin Atkinson to stop a Euro qualifiers football game between Serbia and Albania.

The first incident happened minutes before the first half was to end, as a drone was spotted flying over the field and waving an Albanian flag.

This infuriated the Serbian fans (there were no Albanian ones in the stands due to security concerns), since the flag also showed the image of a "redrawn" map of the country created in accordance with the "Greater Albania" vision including territories of neighboring states.

Serbia's Stefan Mitrovic then pulled the flag down and was attacked by the rival team.

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