Albania assistant manager Paolo Tramezzani claims Serbian police “attacked our players” in the abandoned Euro 2016 qualifier.

The match was suspended definitively when a drone flew over the stadium carrying a politically-sensitive flag referencing the 1998-99 war in Kosovo.

A brawl broke out, but then hooligans descended from the stands to physically attack the Albanian players as they fled.

Albania assistant manager Paolo Tramezzani claims Serbian police “attacked our players” in the abandoned Euro 2016 qualifier.

The match was suspended definitively when a drone flew over the stadium carrying a politically-sensitive flag referencing the 1998-99 war in Kosovo.

A brawl broke out, but then hooligans descended from the stands to physically attack the Albanian players as they fled.

“We had already realised it would be a high risk game the moment we arrived in Belgrade,” Tramezzani told Top Calcio 24. The Albanian national team is led by Italian Coach Gianni De Biasi and his staff.

“We did not expect to be pelted with rocks and bottles, even on the bench. The referee decided to suspend the game and after three minutes the flag arrived.

“What I found inexplicable was the fact police did not arrive, then afterwards they even contributed in attacking our players.

“We stayed in the locker room until 1.30am. The opposition team was able to shower and leave, but we weren’t.

“We were told Bogdanov was on the field and I think that proved how this game was not treated like sport.”

Ivan Bogdanov is the Serbian hooligan who led the rioting at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris in Genoa in 2010, halting a qualifier against Italy after a few minutes.

“I do have to compliment the 22 players on the pitch, as they set the example,” added assistant manager Tramezzani.

“After the game Nastasic, Kuzmanovic and Ivanovic helped our lads to leave the stadium. They were perhaps even more upset than we were. That was the best message to come from all this, as they had great respect for their opponents.”

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