UEFA hands Romania win at the office after Kosovo abandons game

The body that governs European football recognizes racist and discriminatory behavior by Romanian fans, but, given the abandonment of the Kosovar team, awards the three points to Mircea Lucescu’s team. Romanians will have to pay seven fines and will play behind closed doors

Five days after the controversial duel between Romania and Kosovo , in the League of Nations – the Kosovar team left the National Arena pitch following chants that they considered offensive from the home fans –, UEFA has already announced a decision.
The European football governing body recognizes the racist and discriminatory behavior of Romanian fans, but attributed the victory (3-0) to the team coached by Mircea Lucescu, as the Kosovo players abandoned the match. Romania takes the three points, but does not escape some punishments: seven fines, totaling 128 thousand euros, and a game behind closed doors in the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.

“Inappropriate and provocative political messages”, “throwing objects”, “disturbing the national anthems” and “blocking public roads” are some of the justifications given by UEFA for the fines imposed on the Romanians.

The Kosovo Federation, which can appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (TAS), was also fined, in this case six thousand euros, for “team misconduct”.

With this decision, Romania remains in first place in the group, moving directly up to the second tier of the Nations League, now with 18 points, and in pot 2 for the qualifying draw for the 2026 World Cup. Kosovo, with 12 points, finishes in second place – it will attempt promotion via play-off – and is provisionally in pot 4 of the qualifying draw for the next edition of the World Cup.