![]() Albania's players said they were in no fit psychological state to continue with the match after fans attacked Image: Reuters/Marko Djuricaĭivisions deepened when an Albanian flag was set alight by Red Star Belgrade fans at a Saturday meeting with their city rivals Partizan Belgrade. "There are still clear disagreements on how the incidents have occurred but we cannot and will not miss an opportunity to meet and work on maintaining regional stability," said the prime ministers in their joint statement.īlaming the incident on the Albanians, Serbian Interior Minister Nebojsa Stefanovic on Thursday claimed it showed the country was "not mature enough" to join the European Union. Serbian officials claimed that Rama's own brother, Olsi Rama, was responsible for flying the drone. ![]() That triggered a brawl as Albanian players tried to protect the flag - and Serbia fans invaded the pitch.Īlbania had sent no fans to the game other than a contingent of 45 dignitaries. The drone carried a flag depicting a "Greater Albania" including parts of Serbia Image: Reuters/Marko Djurica The drone, complete with a flag depicting a so-called "Greater Albania," had made a series of passes over the pitch, before a Serbian player grabbed at the nationalist symbol. In a joint statement, both said the violence at the Euro 2016 qualifying match between Serbia and Albania earlier this week was "very unfortunate." Rama's visit, which had been slated for Wednesday, was to have been the first by an Albanian premier to Belgrade in 68 years.Īn international football match had to be postponed after a drone carrying an adapted version of the Albanian flag was flown over the pitch at Belgrade's Partizan stadium. Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic and Rama spoke on Sunday, agreeing that the trip should not take place until November 10. A planned visit this week by Albanian premier Edi Rama was postponed until next month, after a series of incidents that aggravated political tension.
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