FSS: Proposal for replay rejected by Albania

BELGRADE - The Football Association of Serbia (FSS) said on Wednesday that top officials of the Football Association of Albania have rejected a proposal for a replay of the EURO 2016 qualifying match between the two countries' national teams.

A FSS delegation tabled the proposal in Nyon on Tuesday to officials of the Football Association of Albania before the UEFA appeals committee rejected both associations' appeals against the penalties imposed following the incidents during the abandoned Serbia vs. Albania match in Belgrade.

"Despite the fact that the decisions of the first-instance authority directly played into the hands of all the other teams in Group I - Portugal, Denmark and Armenia - and that there was hope that fair play and the sporting spirit will triumph, the members of the delegation of the Football Association of Albania rejected Serbia's proposal", the FSS said in a statement.

The October 14 Serbia vs. Albania match in Belgrade was abandoned due to a brawl after a drone carrying a map of so-called Greater Albania - a nationalist project that includes parts of Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia and Greece - was flown over the stadium.

UEFA recorded the result as a 3-0 win for Serbia, but at the same time punished Serbia with a three-point deduction in the EURO 2016 qualifications.

It also said that Serbia will have to play two matches behind closed doors, and both associations were also ordered to pay a EUR 100,000 fine each.

The appeals committee did not change that decision at its meeting on Tuesday.

UEFA will present an explanation of the decisions to the two national associations by December 25 at the latest.

Both sides in the proceedings may appeal the decision...