Serbia - Albania match abandoned

Serbia’s Euro 2016 qualifier against Albania was abandoned on Tuesday evening after a drone flown over the Partizan Stadium pitch carrying the pro-Albanian banner led to a clash between the two sets of players.

The Group I game erupted into controversy shortly before half-time in Belgrade when the drone, apparently flown in by remote control from fans outside the stadium, was brought down by a couple of Serbia players.

That seemed to upset a number of Albania players, several of whom attempted to intercept the black banner, which contained the Albanian flag in the centre.

It prompted a melee involving numerous players and forced English referee Martin Atkinson to lead the players off the field, after some disruption off the pitch as well.

There were no signs of play being restarted more than half an hour after the suspension, with UEFA then confirming the match had been abandoned.