LAUSANNE, Switzerland — The Romanian soccer federation has experienced a setback after their appeal regarding a UEFA sanction was rejected on Thursday. As a result, they will be required to play their first home match in the qualification round for the 2026 World Cup in an empty stadium.
This matter is just one of two appeals being tackled by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, stemming from a controversial match played between Romania and Kosovo last November during the Nations League. The match was marked by disruptive behavior from Romanian fans, who engaged in chants that UEFA classified as xenophobic toward Hungary, as well as provocations aimed at Kosovo’s players and supporters. This is particularly sensitive since Romania does not recognize Kosovo’s independence, declared in 2008.
The situation escalated during the game, which was scoreless and in the stoppage time when the Kosovo team chose not to continue playing due to the turmoil, resulting in a 3-0 default victory awarded to Romania by UEFA.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled that UEFA’s decisions regarding the closure of the stadium and a fine amounting to 128,000 euros (approximately $133,000) were deemed reasonable and appropriate.
Romania’s next home match will kick off their World Cup qualifying campaign against Bosnia-Herzegovina on March 21 at the national stadium in Bucharest. This qualifying group also includes teams from Austria, Cyprus, and San Marino.
Only the top team from this group will secure a direct entry into the World Cup, which will be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico in November. Meanwhile, the team finishing in the second position will have the opportunity to compete in the playoffs scheduled for March of the following year.
In their appeal, CAS noted that the Romanian Football Federation did not dispute the fact that UEFA’s disciplinary regulations were violated; instead, their focus was on contesting the severity of the penalties imposed.
Additionally, the Kosovo soccer federation’s appeal, which challenges the ruling from UEFA that required them to forfeit the game, remains pending at CAS.
