UEFA awarded Serbia a 3-0 win over Albania on Friday but deducted the three points following the violence that broke out during their European qualifier in Belgrade last week.
The game was abandoned before halftime after an Albanian nationalist banner was flown into the stadium by a drone, triggering fighting among players and fans.
UEFA’s disciplinary body ruled that the game be awarded to Serbia as a 3-0 forfeit but also deducted the three points gained by a win. Serbia was also ordered to play its next two home matches in a closed stadium without fans. The Serbian and Albanian federations were each fined $105,000.
Albanian officials criticized the verdict and said they would appeal. Albanian Football Federation President Armand Duka said they expected the game to be awarded to them as a victory.
“I am disillusioned because we were claiming a legal verdict from UEFA,” Duka told private TV station Ora-News. “I do not understand what precedent this may set when a squad physically beats the opposing players on the pitch. I do not know if there is a greater scandal than this.”
The Albanian anthem was loudly jeered by Serbian fans and derogatory chants were heard throughout. Serbian supporters also threw flares and other objects at Albanian players. Fans hurled broken seats and other objects.