The 0-0 appeared to be a logical score at the end of the meeting between Romania and Kosovo. However, the match did not end with shaking hands. Racist chants sung by Romanian supporters pushed Edon Zhegrova's teammates to leave the pitch and not return for the end of the match.
Kosovo Romania, an affair that goes beyond sport
A 0-0 seems inevitable in added time of this Nations League League C match between Romania and Kosovo. But the game will take a completely different turn. Initially, a heated altercation took place between Romanian forward Denis Alibec and Kosovar defender Amir Rrahmani. Then, racist chants are chanted in the stands based on “Serbia, Serbia”. It's too much for Edon Zhegrova's teammates who are leaving the pitch. No goal for Lille after their victorious return against Lithuania during the last rally.
As a reminder, Romania does not recognize Kosovo as an independent nation. Before the declaration of its independence on February 17, 2008, Kosovo belonged to Serbia. A match had already been stopped in September 2023 following the profusion of another racist chant against Kosovar players.
The match was therefore stopped and did not resume. The Kosovo team refused to return to the pitch to finish the match. UEFA should now rule on the final fate of the game.
Ayyoubb Bouaddi, premier match en U21
In a completely different setting, Ayyoub Bouaddi played his first meeting with the Bleuets. The 17-year-old from Lille found himself starting in midfield against Italy U21 for this friendly match. With a break late, the LOSC player's teammates found the necessary resources to get back into the game through Lyon's Rayan Cherki (58') before equalizing with a sumptuous pass from the same Cherki to Valentin Atangana (65'). Ayyoub Bouaddi came off in the 63rd minute. Final score (2-2).
Nicolas CASTEL-MARÉCHAL
Photo credits: Baptiste Fernandez/Icon Sport
