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{{NSFW|discussion of football hooliganism and nationalism}} {{InfoboxFound |title=<center>Serbia vs Albania (2014 international football match)</center> |image=Serbiavsalbania1.jpg |imagecaption=Stefan Mitrović retrieving the flag that would trigger an on-pitch brawl. |status=<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span> |datefound=1 May 2022 |foundby=Pietro }} On 14th October 2014, Serbia hosted Albania in an international football match held at Partizan Stadium, in Belgrade. In what should have been a match contributing towards qualifying for UEFA Euro 2016, the encounter became infamous '''as it was abandoned after 42 minutes following an on-pitch brawl triggered by a drone entering the stadium with a provocative flag'''. ==Background== Even before the game took place, concern emerged when Serbia and Albania were drawn into the same Euro 2016 qualifying group, Group I, on 23rd February 2014.<ref name="draw">[https://insidefutbol.com/2014/02/23/euro-2016-qualifying-draw-in-full/128868/ ''Inside Futbol'' reporting on the Euro 2016 qualifying group draw.] Retrieved 6th Feb '22</ref><ref name="uefadefend">[https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/oct/15/uefa-defends-decision-serbia-albania-mass-brawl ''Guardian'' reporting on UEFA defending its decision to keep Albania and Serbia in the same group.] Retrieved 6th Feb '22</ref> Indeed, the relations between the two countries were tense, because of severe conflict surrounding the legitimacy of Kosovo following the Kosovo War.<ref name="war">[https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/oct/15/belgrade-chao-centuries-rivalry-serbia-albania ''Guardian'' reporting on the Serbia-Albania tensions that existed long before the match.] Retrieved 6th Feb '22</ref> Nevertheless, despite calls for the teams to be split into different groups to avoid further aggravation, UEFA refused to do so.<ref name="uefadefend"/> The organisation stated that since neither nation had directly battled each other in wars, nor had either the Albanian or Serbian Football Associations requested the other be kept separate from it, it felt there was no legitimate reason to modify the drawn groups.<ref name="uefadefend"/> As a result, Albania travelled to Belgrade for the first time since 1967.<ref name="bbcreport">[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/29624259 ''BBC News'' reporting on the match, the fact Albania had travelled to Belgrade for the first time 1967, and the brawl.] Retrieved 6th Feb '22</ref> Heading into the clash, Albania and Serbia had already played a few qualifying matches, in a group also featuring Denmark, Armenia, and eventual Euro 2016 champions Portugal.<ref name="draw"/> In its opening game, Albania surprised Portugal, winning away 1-0.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/29105114 ''BBC Sport'' reporting on Albania's win over Portugal.] Retrieved 6th Feb '22</ref> The team would then draw 1-1 with Denmark.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/29583585 ''BBC Sport'' summarising Albania's draw with Denmark.] Retrieved 6th Feb '22</ref> Meanwhile, Serbia was held to a 1-1 draw against Armenia.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/29583571 ''BBC Sport'' summarising Serbia's draw with Armenia.] Retrieved 6th Feb '22</ref> ==The Match== The match itself took place on 14th October 2014, in front of 25,200 fans.<ref name="eleven">[https://www.11v11.com/matches/serbia-v-albania-14-october-2014-310414/ ''11vs11'' providing match statistics.] Retrieved 6th Feb '22</ref> The vast majority in attendance were Serbian, because UEFA and the Serbia Football Association agreed to not allow any Albanian fans into the stadium should they be found with Albanian national symbols.<ref>[https://balkaninsight.com/2014/10/14/albania-to-play-serbia-in-belgrade-amid-fan-ban/ ''Balkan Insight'' reporting on most Albanian fans being barred entrance into the stadium.] Retrieved 6th Feb '22</ref> In the end, only 45 Albanian fans attended the game in-person.<ref>[https://www.dw.com/en/albanian-prime-ministers-serbia-trip-postponed-after-football-incidents/a-18007186 ''DW'' noting only 45 Albanian fans were in-attendance.] Retrieved 6th Feb '22</ref> Even before the game began, it was clear the football match itself would be overshadowed by crowd trouble, as the attendance began chanting "Kill the Albanians" in Serbian,<ref name="eleven"/><ref>[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=j9ssDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT177 ''From Midnight to Glorious Morning?: India Since Independence'' noting the Serbian chants during the game.] Retrieved 6th Feb '22</ref> with the Albanian national anthem being booed and with some fan burning NATO flags.<ref name="welcome">[https://eu.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/2014/10/15/albanian-team-gets-heroes-welcome-after-clashes/17290565/ ''USA Today'' reporting on the Albania team receiving a heroes' welcome upon returning back home.] Retrieved 6th Feb '22</ref><ref name="post">[https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2014/10/14/drone-toting-albanian-national-flag-causes-riots-that-end-albania-vs-serbia-euro-2016-qualifying-match-early/ ''The Washington Post'' reporting on the flag burning incidents and the drone flag's contents.] Retrieved 6th Feb '22</ref> By the time the match ended at the 42nd minute, the score was still 0-0.<ref name="bbcreport"/><ref name="eleven"/> Based on match reports, Serbia largely dominated play, with Albania utilising defensive tactics.<ref name="bbcreport"/><ref name="guardreport">[https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/oct/14/serbia-albania-euro-2016-flag-halted ''Guardian'' reporting on the match and the brawl.] Retrieved 6th Feb '22</ref> According to ''ESPN'', Albania's Ansi Agolli's free-kick was the best chance of the game, where it was passed to Mergim Mavraj, whose shot was tipped just wide by Serbian goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic.<ref name="espn">[https://www.espn.co.uk/football/report/_/gameId/391131 ''ESPN'' reporting on the chances in the game itself.] Retrieved 6th Feb '22</ref> ==The Drone and the Brawl== Throughout the match flares and firecrackers were thrown onto the pitch, some of which were near the players' tunnel.<ref name="cas">[https://editorial.uefa.com/resources/0257-0e0e2c6d5b79-10c3cf3cd769-1000/albania_cas.pdf Court of Arbitration for Sport's report into the brawl.] Retrieved 6th Feb '22</ref><ref name="cnn">[http://edition.cnn.com/2014/10/24/sport/football/serbia-and-albania-punished-by-uefa/index.html ''CNN'' reporting on UEFA charging both sides for various actions during the brawl.] Retrieved 6th Feb '22</ref> It was also reported that a fan used a laser pointer to distract Albanian players during a corner kick.<ref name="cas"/><ref name="cnn"/> At the 35th minute, Albania attempted to take a corner kick, only for flares and other items to be thrown at the corner taker and an assistant referee, with a firecracker also exploding nearby.<ref name="cas"/> Three minutes later, rocks were thrown into Albania's technical area.<ref name="cas"/> Referee Martin Atkinson decided to suspend play for 40 seconds so that a stadium announcer could warn fans against throwing projectiles onto the pitch. However, this did little to calm matters, as more items including bottles were thrown,<ref>[https://theconversation.com/albania-v-serbia-football-drone-farce-shows-balkan-nationalism-is-still-a-dangerous-powder-keg-33101 ''The Conversation'' reporting on the items thrown onto the pitch.] Retrieved 6th Feb '22</ref> After more flares were thrown onto the pitch, Atkinson again suspended play at the 41st minute mark.<ref name="bbcreport"/> While the match was suspended, the audience and television cameras began to fixate on a drone that entered the stadium, carrying a provocative flag.<ref name="bbcreport"/> The flag in question showcased the faces of Ismail Qemali and Isa Boletini, who are deemed to be the founding fathers of modern Albania. It also had a map showcasing Greater Albania, the date 28 November 1912 which was when the Albanian Declaration of Independence was signed, and the word "autochthonous".<ref name="post"/><ref name="bbcreport"/><ref name="guardreport"/> The flag angered both the fans, who started chanting "Kill the Albanians" and "Death to Albanians",<ref>[https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/11539517.albania-fa-players-assaulted-in-serbia-clash/ ''Daily Echo'' reporting on the chants heard throughout hte game.] Retrieved 6th Feb '22</ref> and the Serbian players, leading to defender Stefan Mitrović jumping up to retrieve the flag to thunderous applause from the attendance.<ref name="bbcreport"/> However, this action enraged Albanian players Andi Lila and Taulant Xhaka, prompting a scuffle between players, with Albania's Bekim Balaj snatching the flag from Mitrović to take it off the pitch.<ref name="bbcreport"/><ref name="guardreport"/> As he attempted to run off the pitch, a Serbian supporter suddenly ran on and attacked Balaj with a plastic chair.<ref name="bbcreport"/> Lorik Cana, Albania's captain, responded by taking the fan down and punching him.<ref name="fights">[https://www.espn.co.uk/football/blog/name/68/post/2089836/headline ''ESPN'' detailing the fights that occurred.] Retrieved 6th Feb '22</ref> At this point, the scuffle turned into a major brawl from both teams and their substitutes, as well as the fans, pitch stewards and other staff.<ref name="post"/> Atkinson had no choice but to force the players off the field, with fans wielding and throwing items including chairs against Albanian players.<ref name="bbcreport"/><ref name="guardreport"/><ref name="fights"/> As the Albanian players ran towards the player tunnel, some faced being punched and kicked by supporters who had managed to bypass riot security.<ref name="bbcreport"/><ref name="fights"/> Because of the hooliganism experienced throughout play, it was decided 30 minutes after the game was suspended for it to be abandoned,<ref name="bbcreport"/><ref name="guardreport"/> with Albania manager Giovanni de Biazzi claiming four of his players were injured during the brawl.<ref name="post"/> Ismail Morina, an Albanian citizen, claimed responsibility for operating the drone, and was arrested in Croatia in 2017 per an arrest warrant from Serbia.<ref>[https://balkaninsight.com/2017/07/30/albania-organises-to-stop-ismail-morina-extradition-to-serbia-07-29-2017/ ''Balkan Insight'' reporting on Ismail Morina being arrested in Croatia following a Serbia arrest warrant.] Retrieved 6th Feb '22</ref> However, after being transferred to an Italian prison, it was reported in July 2018 that Morina had been released, with Serbia's extradition request being denied.<ref>[https://apnews.com/article/0553b27c81494e199be844dc2357e9ca ''AP News'' reporting on Morina being released from Italian prison.] Retrieved 6th Feb '22</ref> ==Aftermath== Both teams received high praise from their respective countries,<ref name="welcome"/> with each respective Government blaming the other for the violence.<ref>[https://www.dw.com/en/nationalism-gaining-strength-in-serbia-albania/a-18009003 ''DW'' reporting on the finger-pointing from both nations following the brawl.] Retrieved 6th Feb '22</ref> The vast majority of people outside the two nations, including UEFA President Michel Platini and FIFA President Sepp Blatter, condemned the violence that overshadowed the match.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/oct/15/serbia-albania-violence-uefa-inquiry-drone ''Guardian'' reporting on the brawl being condemned and UEFA launching an inquiry.] Retrieved 6th Feb '22</ref> Initially, UEFA awarded Serbia a walkover 3-0 win because it ruled that Albania forfeited the game.<ref name="walkover">[https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/oct/24/serbia-albania-euro-2016-uefa-sanctions ''Guardian'' reporting on UEFA's initial decision to award Serbia three points and then dock them.] Retrieved 6th Feb '22</ref> UEFA would however deduct Serbia those three points and ordered that its next two home games be played behind closed doors, with both FAs fined €100,000.<ref name="walkover"/> After UEFA declined the appeals from both FAs,<ref>[https://www.skysports.com/football/news/30965/9590025/uefa-sanction-serbia-and-albania-lose-their-appeals ''Sky Sports'' reporting on UEFA rejecting the appeals from both teams' Football Associations.] Retrieved 6th Feb '22</ref> proceeds reached the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), as neither the Albanian nor Serbian Football Associations were happy with the decision.<ref name="cas"/> A decision was made on 10th July 2015, with CAS rejecting Serbia's appeal and partially upholding Albania's claim that the match was forfeited by Serbia.<ref name="cas"/><ref name="bbccas">[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/33478446 ''BBC Sport'' reporting on Albania being awarded three points following the CAS ruling.] Retrieved 6th Feb '22</ref><ref name="guardcas">[https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/jul/10/albania-serbia-match-abandoned-drone ''Guardian'' reporting on Albania being awarded three points following the CAS ruling.] Retrieved 6th Feb '22</ref> Due to CAS' decision, Albania was awarded three points via a walkover 3-0 win, while Serbia lost its three points on top of still facing a three-point deduction.<ref name="cas"/><ref name="bbccas"/><ref name="guardcas"/> The teams would meet again on 8th October 2015, at the Elbasan Arena in Elbasan.<ref name="guardrematch">[https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2015/oct/08/albania-v-serbia-euro-2016-qualifier-live ''Guardian'' reporting on the Albania-Serbia game on 8th October 2015.] Retrieved 6th Feb '22</ref> Here, Serbia claimed victory with the visitors scoring two goals in added time to win 2-0.<ref name="guardrematch"/> Despite the result, only Albania qualified for the final tournament, scoring 14 points to finish second in the group behind Portugal and two points ahead of Denmark to earn an automatic qualifying spot.<ref name="guardoutcomes">[https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/oct/11/armenia-albania-euro-2016-qualifier-match-report ''Guardian'' reporting on the outcomes of Euro 2016 qualifying group I.] Retrieved 6th Feb '22</ref> Albania would lose to Switzerland and hosts France, before winning against Romania,<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36509864 ''BBC Sport'' reporting on Albania beating Romania at Euro 2016.] Retrieved 6th Feb '22</ref> although this would not be enough for it to progress to the last 16 as one of the highest performing third-placed teams.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36612284 ''BBC Sport'' reporting on Albania being knocked out of Euro 2016.] Retrieved 6th Feb '22</ref> In contrast, Serbia endured a disastrous qualifying campaign, failing to qualify after scoring just four points overall, ahead of only Armenia.<ref name="guardoutcomes"/> ==Recovery== Despite the match airing live on various television channels across Europe, including Sky Sports,<ref>[https://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/9517430/tempers-flare-in-serbia ''Sky Sports''' video on the match and brawl.] Retrieved 6th Feb '22</ref> the full coverage of the game remained missing for many years afterwards, with the violence that caused the game to be abandoned most likely preventing it from being re-aired. A few minutes of televised and amateur footage has resurfaced on YouTube and Dailymotion, while clips of the brawl itself can also be easily found. On 1st May 2022, the Portuguese broadcast of the match from Sport TV would be [https://mega.nz/file/V3BkCCpa#LxXX4VwEc1XH7gnNMqHMMvvrpmBUoynxj7AGx0KHP1E uploaded to MEGA.nz]. The broadcast starts at kick-off and ends at 45:00 + 1:02. Considering the aftermath was already available on other video-sharing websites, the entirety of the match itself has been found. ==Gallery== ===Videos=== {{Video|perrow =3 |service1 =youtube |id1 =hb9wA4Bz-Fc |description1 =Amateur and televised footage of the match and brawl. |service2 =dailymotion |id2 =x6muabz |description2 =Amateur footage of the match and brawl. |service3 =youtube |id3 =uDs5mwNRY7U |description3 =Amateur footage of the brawl. }} ===Images=== <gallery mode=packed heights=200px> Serbiavsalbania2.png|A slide tackle performed during the match. Serbiavsalbania3.jpg|The flag that triggered the brawl. Serbiavsalbania4.jpg|Stefan Mitrović jumps to retrieve the flag. Serbiavsalbania5.jpg|Mitrović's actions triggered a scuffle between both teams. Serbiavsalbania6.jpg|Bekim Balaj after snatching the flag away. Serbiavsalbania7.jpg|A fan attacks Balaj with a plastic chair. Serbiavsalbania8.jpg|Lorik Cana about to punch the fan as the brawl spirals out of control. Serbiavsalbania9.jpg|The Albanian players and substitutes retreat into the tunnel. Serbiavsalbania10.jpg|The players desperately try to flee into the tunnel in the wake of projectiles and fans breaching riot security. </gallery> ==See Also== *[[1937 FA Cup Final (partially found footage of football match; 1937)]] *[[1938 FA Cup Final (partially found footage of football match; 1938)]] *[[1939 FA Cup Final (partially found footage of football match; 1939)]] *[[1947 FA Cup Final (partially found footage of football match; 1947)]] *[[1955 Scottish Cup Final (partially found footage of football match; 1955)]] *[[1966 FIFA World Cup Final (partially found original colour film of international football match; 1966)]] *[[Arsenal 7-1 Hibernian (lost footage of charity football match; 1952)]] *[[Arsenal vs Arsenal Reserves (lost footage of early BBC televised football match; 1937)]] *[[Barbados 4–2 Grenada (partially found soccer match footage; 1994)]] *[[Barnet 3-2 Wealdstone (lost footage of Athenian League football match; 1946)]] *[[Brian Clough's Football Fortunes (lost DOS port of football management game; 1987)]] *[[Charlton Athletic 1-0 Blackburn Rovers (lost footage of FA Cup match; 1947)]] *[[England 0-1 Scotland (partially found footage of international football match; 1938)]] *[[England 1-1 Scotland (partially found footage of international football match; 1947)]] *[[England 3-0 France (partially found footage of international football match; 1947)]] *[[England 3-0 Rest of Europe (partially found footage of international football match; 1938)]] *[[Falkirk 3-2 Newcastle United (lost footage of football match; 1953)]] *[[Hallo! Bundesliga (lost GolTV series; mid 2000s-mid 2010s)]] *[[Juventus 1-7 A.C. Milan (partially found footage of Serie A football match; 1950)]] *[[Scottish Universities 1-1 English Universities (lost footage of international football match; 1952)]] *[[United! (lost British soap opera; 1965-1967)]] ==References== {{reflist}} [[Category:Found media]] [[Category:Found recordings of real incidents]]
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