UEFA set to hear Serbia and Albania appeals

Both federations were fined 100,000 euros ($125,000) while Serbia, who were awarded the match 3-0, were also docked three points and ordered to play their next two home matches behind closed doors. The match in Belgrade was halted on October 14 when irate home fans invaded the pitch and attacked Albania players after a pro-Albanian flag was carried over the stadium by a drone.

The match, for which Albanian fans had been barred on UEFA's request, was goalless when it was abandoned in the 41st minute as Albania players fled to the changing rooms.

The provocative flag included a map of 'Greater Albania' incorporating parts of Serbia. Albania allegedly refused to continue playing as Serbian fans chanted "Death to Albanians" and "Kill Albanians". As soon as UEFA announced its punishments at the end of October, both federations immediately expressed their intention to appeal. The two countries are playing in qualifying group I, which is currently being led by Denmark ahead of Portugal.

Albania are currently third in the group with Serbia fourth. Relations between Serbs and Albanians are often hostile, due to historical and recent disputes which are stoked by politicians on both sides.

A major flashpoint has been Kosovo, the former Serbian province mostly populated by ethnic Albanians. Kosovo unilaterally declared independence in 2008 after almost a decade under United Nations control, imposed after a NATO bombing campaign to halt a Serbian crackdown on separatists there.