Romanian Football Federation condemns irresponsible behaviour of fans posting political banner at match with Kosovo
The Romanian Football Federation (FRF) condemns, in a press release published on its official website, the irresponsible behaviour of the supporters from the South lawn sector of the National Arena, who posted a banner with a political hint at the match of Romania's national team with Kosovo, thus causing the suspension of the match for approximately 50 minutes, told Agerpres.
"We reiterate first of all the ruling principle of football in Romania, namely the noninterference of politics in the act of sport. Revisionism is not accepted in football, and FRF firmly condemns the provoking messages of a political, ideological, religious or insulting nature, as these are absolutely forbidden on stadiums," the release reads.
FRF maintains that "the acts of hooliganism" of the group of supporters from the South lawn sector were "disavowed" by the rest of the spectators on the National Arena.
"All these were registered in the grandstands of the National Arena by a small group of so-called fans, thus affecting the normal run of the match and, implicitly, the state of mind of the 'tricolour' players. The acts of hooliganism have been disavowed by the rest of the spectators on the stadium, who were deprived of a football show they wished for and paid a ticket for. FRF regrets the unfortunate experience most of the spectators lived and thanks them at the same time for the fantastic support they offered to the 'tricolours' in the second half of the match, leading them to a dramatic victory," the federation release also shows.
Romania's national football team defeated Kosovo's team, 2-0 (0-0), on Tuesday evening, on the National Arena stadium in Bucharest, in Group I of the qualifying play-offs for EURO2024.
The match had been suspended by the referee in minute 18 due to messages of a political hint, as a group of Romanian fans from the South lawn sector displayed the banner reading "Bessarabia is Romania, Kosovo is Serbia." UEFA announced on its website that the match had been suspended due to discriminatory behaviour, and the referee resumed the match after a break of approximately 50 minutes.
Romania has been undefeated in this play-off series, with three victories and three draws, gathering 12 points, after Switzerland, 14 points, but ahead of the other teams, Israel, 11 points, Belarus, 4 points, Kosovo 4 points, and Andorra, 2 points.
Next month, Romania will play Belarus away (October 12) and Andorra at home (October 15).
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