Serbia-Albania world cup qualifier moved over security fears

Serbia’s World Cup qualifier against Albania next month has been moved from Belgrade to the southern city of Leskovac due to security concerns, the Serbian Football Association (FSS) has announced.

UEFA approved the request for relocation, with the consent of Albania, ahead of the October 11 clash.

“The key reason is security, not only for the fans, but above all for the players and everyone else involved in the match,” the FSS said in its statement. “Such a fixture carries the highest level of risk and requires full control to prevent incidents like those already witnessed in previous encounters between these two teams.”

The FSS referenced the infamous 2014 match in Belgrade that was abandoned after a drone carrying a flag promoting a “Greater Albania”, which depicted an expanded Albanian state including Kosovo, flew over the pitch. The provocation triggered angry scenes, with fans invading the field and the game being cancelled.

Kosovo, a former Serbian province that declared independence in 2008, remains at the heart of tensions between Belgrade and Tirana. Serbia has refused to recognise Kosovo’s independence, and memories of the 1998–1999 war, which ended with Belgrade’s withdrawal from the region after a NATO intervention, continue to strain relations.

Clashes have marred several previous encounters. After the pair’s earlier qualifying clash in Tirana, which ended goalless, Albania were sanctioned by FIFA for fan misconduct, including “discriminatory behaviour” and the use of fireworks. In 2015, when the two sides met again in Elbasan, Albania, tensions were high under a heavy police presence, with reports that the Serbian team bus was attacked with stones on the eve of the match.

The FSS itself has also faced disciplinary action. FIFA punished Serbia in June over “discrimination and racist abuse” by fans during a match against Andorra. More recently, last week’s 5-0 home defeat to England in Belgrade was marred by tense and unruly scenes in the stands.

In its latest statement, the FSS said, “Relocating and organising the match in Leskovac significantly reduces the risk of potential incidents.”

The Dubocica Stadium in Leskovac, built just two years ago, has a capacity of slightly more than 8,000 far smaller than Belgrade’s Rajko Mitic Stadium, which holds 52,000.

Serbia are currently third in their qualifying group, with England leading and Albania sitting second.