"War" breaks out in Euro 2016 qualifiers; fans, players fight dirty (PHOTOS)

One of the matches in the on-going qualifiers for Euro 2016 was abandoned on Tuesday after fighting broke out on the pitch. It was the match between Serbia and Albania. Both countries currently in political face-off brought the hate and tension to the field of play. Serbia was at home.

According to MailOnline, trouble started when Serbia defender, Stefan Mitrovic pulled down an Albanian flag that was flown over the pitch by a remote-controlled drone. The flag was accompanied by a map of Kosovo and carried the message “autochthonous” meaning “indigenous”.

Kosovo is a partially recognised state in Southeastern Europe that declared independence from Serbia in February 2008 as the Republic of Kosovo.

The bedlam lasted for about 30 minutes and when it became clear that it was not abating, the match official, Martin Atkinson, abandoned the game.

Supporters in the stadium first applauded the flag but immediately it became clear that the flag was Albania’s all hell was let loose. Supporters lit flares, burnt a NATO flag, and then supporters of both sides engaged each other in a brawl, clashing with riot policemen.

Reuters later quoted Serbian state television as reporting that Olsi Rama, the brother of Albanian Prime Minister, Edi Rama, was arrested in the VIP box when a remote control, with which he was believed to have instigated the stunt, was found on him.

The report said: “He was arrested on suspicion that he masterminded and executed the incident in which a flag with a map of greater Albania was flown over the pitch and the terraces, after which the match between Serbia and Albania was abandoned”.

Mailonline gives an insight into the history of Serbia-Albania long standing issue

Albanian fans were banned from attending the match between the two Balkan rival nations, due to the turbulent relations between the two.

These have mainly surrounded the former ethnic Albanian-dominated Serbian province of Kosovo.
Kosovo declared independence in 2008, but this is not recognised by Serbia.

NATO waged a 78-day air war in 1999 to halt the killing and expulsion of ethnic Albanians in Kosovo by Serbian forces fighting a two-year counter-insurgency war.

Seven of Albania's squad were born in the Kosovo region.

Photos: Reuters and Mailonline