UEFA has ordered Kosovo to forfeit their abandoned Nations League match, while Croatia will face France in the quarter-finals. The draw, held in Nyon, confirmed Croatia’s home game against France on March 20, followed by an away match on March 23. Croatia, which previously defeated France 1-0 in 2022, has had a mixed record against them, including key World Cup losses in 1998 and 2018. Should they advance, Croatia will meet the winner of the Netherlands vs. Spain match in the semi-finals.
UEFA Orders Kosovo to Forfeit Abandoned Nations League
UEFA ruled on Wednesday that Kosovo forfeited their Nations League match in Romania after leaving the pitch during stoppage time and failing to return following pro-Serbia chants.
The Kosovo players left the field in Bucharest last Friday after fans in the crowd shouted “Serbia,” causing the match to be abandoned just before the final whistle, with the score tied at 0-0.
In its decision, UEFA held the Kosovo Football Federation “responsible for the match not being played in full” and confirmed the team would forfeit with a 3-0 scoreline.
As a result of the decision, Romania will be promoted to League B as group winners, while Kosovo will enter a promotion play-off after finishing in second place.
The Kosovar FA was also fined 6,000 euros for “the improper conduct of its team” after five players were issued yellow cards during the match, matching the number given to Romania.
UEFA imposed a 128,000-euro fine on the Romanian Football Federation for multiple disciplinary violations.
UEFA also directed that Romania’s next home game be played behind closed doors due to “racist” chants from their supporters aimed at neighboring Hungary.
Additionally, Romania was penalized for displaying “provocative political messages not fit for a sports event” and causing disturbances during the Kosovar national anthem.
UEFA also sanctioned the Romanian FA for the throwing of objects, lighting of fireworks, use of laser pointers, and obstructing public passageways.
Tensions between Kosovo and Serbia have remained since the conflict in the late 1990s between Serbian forces and ethnic Albanian insurgents.
Kosovo and Serbia do not compete against each other in UEFA and FIFA tournaments.
Football’s global governing body initiated disciplinary proceedings against Serbia during the 2022 World Cup after the team displayed a flag in their changing room that showed Kosovo as part of Serbia.
Kosovo became a member of FIFA and the European football governing body UEFA in 2016.
Croatia and France to Clash in UEFA Nations League QF
The quarter-final matchups were drawn in Nyon today. Croatia will host the opening game on March 20 and travel to France three days later on March 23. Should they advance to the semi-finals, they will face the winner of the Netherlands vs. Spain match.
As the second-placed team in their group and without seeding status, Croatia was placed in the second pot for the draw. After facing Portugal in the group stage, they could now meet Germany, France, or Spain.
The draw initially paired Croatia with Portugal, but since they had already met in the group stage, Portugal was moved to play Denmark, while Croatia was matched with France.
Croatia triumphed over France 1-0 in their final match of 2022 in the Nations League. They have drawn three times and lost six, with the most notable defeats being in the semi-finals of the 1998 World Cup and the 2018 World Cup final. Since their encounter in Russia for the World Cup title, Croatia and France have faced off four times. Zlatko Dalić’s side has earned positive results in the last two meetings, securing a win and a draw.
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