UEFA decided - the flag of Albania flown to the Belgrade stadium by a remote-controlled plane and the resulting brawl were the most expensive for the Albanians. UEFA counted a technical victory of 3:0 for the Serbs. Indeed, both the Football Federations of Serbia and Albania were fined 100,000 euros. For the brawl on the field and the invasion of fans, the Serbs will play two home games against Denmark and Armenia without ultras. When Serbian players removed the flag from the drone, Albanians attacked to take it back. Initially, players stood still, and then fans began to rush onto the field, hitting several Albanian players. Albanians had to flee the field and refused to continue the match. "If someone from Serbia had flown a 'Greater Serbia' flag in Tirana or Pristina, it would be discussed in the United Nations Security Council," said Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dačić mentioning the capitals of Albania and Kosovo. Albanian footballers were welcomed as heroes at home. About three thousand ultras greeted the players at Tirana airport on Wednesday morning with flags. The country's Prime Minister E. Rama thanked the players "for the pride and joy they have given us" on social media. "Defending national symbols is our duty," said national team goalkeeper Etrit Berisha. Relations between Serbia and Albania are tense due to the independence of Kosovo, but UEFA did not think this could cause a conflict and did not assign these national teams to different groups during the 2016 European Championship qualifiers. This decision was made due to Azerbaijan and Armenia, as well as Spain and Gibraltar. The Albanian Football Federation warned its fans in advance that there could be trouble, asking them not to go to Serbia. The atmosphere at the "Partizan" stadium was heated when the Serbs booed the Albanian anthem at the beginning of the match, and insulting chants echoed from the stands. FIFA President Sepp Blatter expressed his opinion on social media: "Football should not be used for political messages. I strongly condemn what happened in Belgrade."
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