Romanians point the finger at Hungarians after UEFA penalty

A few days ago, a European Championship qualifier between Romania and Kosovo was interrupted by Romanian fans chanting “Kosovo Serbia” as the visiting players walked off the pitch. UEFA has fined Romania for pointing the finger at Hungary.

Match abandoned

Romania was hosting Kosovo, but tempers flared and the match was abandoned for 50 minutes.

From the start of the match, Romanian supporters threw flares at the Kosovo goal and chanted slogans denigrating the country, such as Kosovo Serbia. The referee stopped the match and the game was paused for 50 minutes, hvg.hu reports.

BREAKING NEWS: Romania vs Kosovo on hold after “Kosovo is Serbia” chanting and banners at the Romania ultras end. pic.twitter.com/JLhah3FWhc

— Emanuel Roşu (@Emishor) September 12, 2023

UEFA fines, Romanian fans blame Hungarians

The Romanian Football Federation condemned the incident and said it was looking for those responsible. UEFA has also launched an investigation and the Romanians face disciplinary action and fines.

The Romanian press published an article claiming that UEFA had acted unfairly against them. According to them, the Hungarians did not get anything for a much more serious provocation. At the match between Hungary and Estonia in March, fans displayed a banner depicting Greater Hungary.

The case is unacceptable to several Romanian public figures and they claim UEFA is using double standards. “The map of Greater Hungary, which includes part of Romania, is a revisionist symbol and has no place in stadiums and European matches,” writes Gabriela Firea, the Social Democrat Minister for Family Affairs.

The Romanian press notes that the Hungarians did not receive any penalty for the hate symbol, while Romania could receive a match penalty, index.hu writes.