February 21 – Partizan Belgrade fans have been banned from travelling to watch their side play Sheriff Tiraspol in Thursday’s Europa Conference League tie as tensions escalate in Moldova amid fears Russia may be planning a coup.
Partizan and Sheriff are due to meet in the first leg of their knockout play-off tie in a match that will now be played behind closed doors.
The president of Moldova, Maia Sandu, said Monday she feared Russia was preparing to overthrow her government. Sandu further suggested that citizens of Russia, Belarus, Montenegro and Serbia may be used as part of the plot.
FC Sheriff confirmed that the Moldovan authorities had ordered their match to be played without fans.
“The Football Federation of Moldova informed FC Sheriff about the decision of the Moldovan authorities to hold the UEFA Conference League play-off match between FC Sheriff and Partizan Belgrade without spectators,” a statement said.
“In this regard, FC Sheriff informs the spectators who have purchased tickets for the match that the club will return the money spent on tickets.”
UEFA said it had agreed to the game in Chisinau, where the match had already been relocated from Tiraspol, being played behind closed doors “following a decision of the national authorities.”
Russia rejected angrily to the Moldovan president’s claims with Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova dismissed the remarks as “absolutely unfounded and unsubstantiated.”
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1736287327labto1736287327ofdlr1736287327owedi1736287327sni@w1736287327ahsra1736287327w.wer1736287327dna1736287327