February 14 – The Romanian Football Federation (FRF) lost its appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against the punishment imposed by UEFA following the display of racism by Romanian fans during the Nations League match against Kosovo last year.
The match at the National Arena stadium in Bucharest between Romania and Kosovo was abandoned after Kosovo players walked off the pitch after Romanian fans chanted ‘Serbia, Serbia’ as the game moved into injury time.
UEFA ultimately awarded Romania a 3-0 victory but fined the Romanian Football Federation with a hefty €128,000 and a match in front of empty stands.
The Kosovar FA also incurred a €6,000 fine for “the improper conduct of its team” after five players received yellow cards in the game, the same number as Romania.
“On Thursday, February 13, 2025, the Court of Arbitration for Sport announced its decision on the Romanian Football Federation’s appeal following UEFA sanctions following the Romania – Kosovo match in November 2024,” said FRF in a statement.
“The CAS upheld both the sanction regarding the match being played at home without spectators, as well as the financial sanction received from the UEFA committee.
“The Romanian national team will debut in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers on March 21, against Bosnia-Herzegovina, at home.”
CAS said its judges noted that the Romanian Football Federation did not dispute that UEFA’s disciplinary rules were violated, but only that the sanctions were too severe. The Kosovo Football Association’s appeal against UEFA’s order to abandon the match is ongoing.
Contact the writer of this story, Aleksander Krassimirov, at moc.l1740268569labto1740268569ofdlr1740268569owedi1740268569sni@o1740268569fni1740268569