Kosovo National Team Walks Off Field Over Discriminatory Chants in Nations League Match

The UEFA-sanctioned game against Romania was abandoned after Kosovo players protested 'Serbia' chants, leading to penalties for Romania.

Kosovo's national team left the field during stoppage time in a Nations League match against Romania after fans reportedly chanted 'Serbia,' referencing historical tensions tied to the Kosovo War.
The match, abandoned at 0-0, was later awarded as a 3-0 victory for Romania by UEFA, which also imposed significant penalties on the Romanian Football Federation.
Romania must play their next home game in an empty stadium and pay fines totaling €128,000 for the racist and discriminatory behavior of their fans.
Kosovo midfielder Elvis Rexhbecaj emphasized that the team's decision to leave was a deliberate stand against discrimination, prioritizing principles over the match result.
This incident follows a similar situation in 2023, where Kosovo players initially left the field in response to fan behavior but later returned, a decision they now regret.