Romania lose CAS appeal over severity of UEFA sanctions for...

February 14: After Romanian supporters displayed bigotry during last year’s Nations League encounter against

Kosovo, the Romanian Football Federation (FRF) lost its appeal against the UEFA penalties in the Court of

Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Romania and Kosovo’s game at the National Arena stadium in Bucharest was called off as Kosovo players left the

field as the game entered injury time and Romanian supporters yelled “Serbia, Serbia.”

In the end, Romania won 3-0, but UEFA fined the Romanian Football Federation a whopping €128,000 and forced

them to play in front of packed houses.

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 UEFA committee’s financial fine and the sanction pertaining to the home game without spectators were both

upheld by the CAS.

“On March 21, the Romanian national team will make its home debut against Bosnia-Herzegovina in the 2026 World

Cup qualifiers.”

According to CAS, its justices observed that the Romanian Football Federation only disputed that the penalties were

excessive, not that UEFA’s disciplinary regulations had been broken. The Kosovo Football Association is still

appealing UEFA’s decision to call off the game.

Romania lose CAS appeal over severity of UEFA sanctions for fans’ racism at Kosovo tie