Sport

Serbia and Albania charged by Uefa

SERBIA and Albania are facing stiff sanctions after Uefa charged the countries with a number of offences following the abandoned Euro 2016 qualifier in Belgrade.

The match was abandoned after a melee erupted after a mini drone trailed a pro-Albania flag over the stadium.

Serbia have been charged with the throwing of missiles and fireworks, crowd disturbance, invasion of the pitch by supporters, insufficient organisation and use of a laser pointer.

Albania have been charged with refusing to play and the display of an illicit banner.

Both countries are likely to be handed heavy fines and other sanctions, including possible points deductions, when Uefa's disciplinary body hears the case on October 23. Albania faces forfeiting the match and Serbia could play future games behind closed doors, but Uefa is not expected to expel the countries from the competition.

The flag, which featured a map of 'Greater Albania' - which incorporates parts of various other countries including Kosovo - was hauled down by Serbia defender Stefan Mitrovic (left) and then brawls erupted involving players, officials and fans before English referee Martin Atkinson led the teams off the field with score at 0-0 as disruption in the stands threatened to boil over, with objects being thrown onto the pitch at Albanian players.

Neither country had requested they be kept apart in the draw, and the other main criteria which could also persuade UEFA to keep them separate - being involved in an armed conflict and not having diplomatic relations - did not apply.

Uefa did keep apart Russia and Ukraine, Spain and Gibraltar and Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Albanian supporters had been banned from entering the stadium by Uefa on safety grounds and the match was set against a backdrop of tight security.