Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Romania, UEFA, UEFA Nations League
Ryan Smart
Kosovo have issued a strongly-worded statement over UEFA's decision to award Romania a win over them in their Nations League clash.
The two nations faced each other on November 15, with the scores at 0-0 with only seconds remaining in the contest.
Kosovo players walked off after pro-Serbia chants were aimed at them by Romanian supporters. Romania does not recognise Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia back in 2008.
The match was abandoned after Kosovo players refused to return to the pitch.
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On Wednesday, UEFA decided to award a 3-0 win to Romania as they recognise Kosovo to have forfeited the match.
However, the Romanian FA have been fined £106,425 by UEFA and been ordered to close their stadium for one UEFA game.
The result does not have significant implications on the League C Group 2 table.
Romania top the table with the maximum 18 points from their six games, six points ahead of their opponents.
Had Kosovo been awarded the victory by a 3-0 scoreline instead, both teams would have been level on points with the exact same records in the games played between themselves and Romania. Romania would have topped the group through their superior group goal difference.
Now, Kosovo have released a strongly-worded statement on the matter, confirming that they will take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
The national team manager Bajram Shala told The Guardian: "We are aware UEFA has taken this seriously and we appreciate it. But we cannot feel happy or that justice is in place.
"It is true that we left the field, but the reason we were forced to do it should be taken into consideration.
"Our players felt emotionally hurt, and the pride of representing the national team and their country was hurt.
"We think it was a reasonable way to show that racist chants cannot take place at football matches and it was why our team was forced to leave the pitch."
He added: "We think UEFA should treat this differently. We are keen to appeal this decision and look forward to justice being served."