Kosovo, Serbia Sports Fans Chew Over Football Violence

In a chat show Tema [The Topic], which serves as television bridge for Kosovo and Serbia, on Kosovo public television, contributors from Belgrade and Pristina mulled the violent scenes at the Euro 2016 qualifier in Belgrade's Partizan stadium, after a drone flew over the pitch carrying Albanian symbols.

Milos Saranovic, a sports commentator from Serbia's B92 television, said everyone had thought that the situation between the two peoples was becoming more normal, but "they experienced an unpleasant surprise that evening".

He said he could not remember seeing so many police officers in a football stadium and the invasion of the pitch by enraged Serbian fans had ruined the match.

"The number of the fans running into the field was not that big, but it is enough if one or two do it because that should not have been allowed. As of that moment, there was nothing left of the game," he said.

Fadil Vokrri, President of the Kosovo Football Federation, said that violence could have been avoided up to the point when the fans attacked the players.

"Once players are physically attacked by fans, it can no longer be considered a football game and it has to be suspended," he said.

The first football match ever held between Albania and Serbia had to be called off in the 41st minute. The score was 0:0 at the time.

Fighting erupted on the pitch after a drone flew over the stadium bearing a map of Greater Albania. Some Albanian players were assaulted by Serbian fans who then invaded the field.

UEFA has said its disciplinary commission will decide on October 23 whether to punish the teams - and how.

Jasmina Lazovic, from the Youth Forum for Human Rights, based in Belgrade, said she had...