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Serbia v Albania ends in riot after drone flag stunt – video
In pictures: provocative banner prompts mass brawl, Albanian PM's brother arrested
The Euro 2016 qualifier between Serbia and Albania was abandoned amid rioting last night after a bizarre stunt involving a drone, which flew into the stadium during the match carrying an Albanian nationalist flag.
There were scuffles between the players after the banner was grabbed by members of the home side, and the violence soon escalated with some fans running onto the pitch prompting English referee Martin Atkinson to order the players off the field.
Tensions were high before the politically sensitive match between the two Balkan nations in Belgrade. It was Albania's first match in Belgrade since 1967.
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Away fans had been banned from the stadium but shortly before half time the Albanian support made itself felt as a drone appeared flying a provocative banner. It depicted the insignia of 'Greater Albania', the "homeland" of ethnic Albanians which covers an area including Albania, Kosovo and parts of Serbia, Macedonia, Montenegro and Greece.
The gesture had huge political significance thanks in part to "long-running tensions over Kosovo", explains The Guardian. The country declared independence from Serbia in 2008, but is not recognised by Belgrade.
"The flag was caught by the Serbia defender Stefan Mitrovic, setting off chain of events that is likely to lead to severe repercussions from Uefa – who will now consider the matter," adds the paper.
The banner ended up in the hands of the Albanian striker Bekim Balaj, but he was then attacked by a supporter who had run onto the pitch armed with a plastic stool, prompting a mass brawl involving players, substitutues, fans and stewards.
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With the situation in danger of escalating further referee Atkinson ordered the players off the field, and the Albanians were forced to dodge a hail of missiles from the stands as they ran for the relative safety of the tunnel, where there were reportedly more clashes with stewards. However, it was also claimed that the Serbian players had tried to shield their opponents from attacks by fans.
"This incident comes just days before the highly sensitive visit of Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, the first such visit in 68 years," reports the Daily Telegraph and to make matters worse his brother Olsi Rama was later arrested after claims he had controlled the drone from his seat in an executive box in the stadium.
