Town keeper Aro Muric and his Kosovo teammates walked off the field in injury time of their UEFA Nations League game in Romania following pro-Serbia chants from sections of the home support, leading to the match eventually being abandoned.

The game at the Arena Nationala in Bucharest was still 0-0 with the Kosovans having dominated when chants aimed towards the visiting players increased in volume after a clash between Romania’s Denis Alibec and Amir Rrahmani of Kosovo, while objects were reportedly thrown towards the away bench.

The incidents prompted the Kosovo players and staff to walk off the pitch leaving the Romanians still out there on their own for around 40 minutes.

The referee eventually made his way to the dressing room and gave the Kosovo players an ultimatum that he would abandon the game if they didn't return to the field within a specified time. They refused to do so and the match was curtailed with the outcome currently unclear.

A UEFA statement reads: “The UEFA Nations League match between Romania and Kosovo has been abandoned. UEFA will communicate further information in due course.”

Romania is among the countries which don’t recognise Kosovo as an independent nation with Serbia claiming it is part of their territory.

In September last year, UEFA sanctioned the Romanian FA (FRF) following similar chants and a banner stating 'Kosovo is Serbia' during a Euro 2024 qualifier between the sides earlier that month. That game, also in Bucharest, had been held up for 50 minutes.

The FRF was fined €40,000 and ordered that their match against Andorra the following month should be played behind closed doors.

In October this year, the FRF was fined €52,500 and issued with a partial stadium ban for racist fan behaviour during the previous month’s Nations League tie with Lithuania.

Prior to tonight’s kick-off, the FRF called on their fans to be on their best behaviour for fear of impacting their top spot in the group, and therefore their chances of World Cup qualification, and further behind-closed-doors matches.

Elsewhere, Liam Delap won his ninth England U21s cap as the Young Lions drew 0-0 with Spain in a friendly in Cadiz.

The Town striker played the first 68 minutes before being replaced by former Blues loanee Dane Scarlett having been booked moments earlier for a clash with a defender.

Blues keeper Cieran Slicker was an unused sub as Scotland beat Croatia 1-0 at Hampden Park.

Photo: REUTERS/George Calin

bobble added 03:48 - Nov 18 62wasbest...we dont see both actions as right, many of us have condemned the creation of a new settler apartheid colonist state israel on palestinian land ,and numerous nations voted against its re ognition in the UN ,but they were ignored by the big western nations who armed israel to the teeth and labeled the palestinian resitance terrorists for fighting the invaders who stole their homes and land.. Luckily there are a few decent western nations who regonise the hypocrisy and wrongness of the formation of a jewish state on palestinian lands..but like everything in world politics you can do as you please if you are a superpower or fully supported by one...so the so called israeli state does as it pleases fully armed and politically supported by the usa...

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Bluearmy_81 added 09:02 - Nov 18 If being a leftist/lefty means I’m against innocent men women and children being exterminated by a far right extremist terror state then count me in/sign me up…
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bobble added 10:39 - Nov 18 Me too bluearmy
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Cadiar added 10:48 - Nov 18 Obviously most people have little idea re the genocide in Palestine. The vast majority of Israelis are not from the area (97.5%) but are from middle & Easter Europe so the Palestinian have every right to defend themselves. The British government for over 75 years has supported the illegal occupiers & renegades on agreements whilst arming Israelis. Why are Israel even allowed to participate? Russia is banned from international sport so there are double standards. Oct 7th was in western eyes terrorism however Zionists have been committing atrocities for over 1oo years. The very simple solution regarding sport is a worldwide ban. As for the vile & appalling behaviour of Maccabi fans in Amsterdam which has been twisted into them being the victims, we should be ashamed of the lies by the BBS, CNN, Sky etc. I have close friends in Amsterdam & it is a very different story they tell to the one we are told by the media.

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churchmans added 19:01 - Nov 18 @Cadiar Accusing Jews of genocide is a sick joke! Oh the irony but I can understand why with all the settlers removing Palestinians with no justification and causing civilian death just to 'kill there target' so I'm with most of you on that one! As for banning both kossovon & Romanian fans Did you know that in a match between croatia&Albania they where singing and chanting 'kil kill all serbians' And just to educate you a bit more Serbians have been in kossovo for hundreds of years before the ottomans came and conquered! Now a small minority!

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bobble added 07:56 - Nov 19 So pleased that we all commented freely from censorship our views on the present day violence and were allowed to here . I respect you all much more, even if i slightly disagree with some, and a big shout out to twtd who didnt close us down, like so many other media platforms do..
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