The incidents during the World Cup qualifying match between Albania and Poland (0:1) have repercussions. As FIFA announced, both associations have now been punished – some of them severely. In addition, the Hungarians have also been punished once again.
On 12 October, in the landmark match between Albania and Poland in Tirana, Karol Swiderski scored in the 77th minute of the game to give the visitors a 1-0 lead – the goal was frenetically celebrated as it meant that Poland would move past Albania in the table of World Cup qualifying Group I, move into second place behind England and thus significantly increase their own chances of successful World Cup qualification.
On the other side, the disappointment at the impending defeat and the frustration were naturally very great, which ultimately came out in unseemly scenes. After the visitors’ goal, the game had to be interrupted by French referee Clement Turpin for about 20 minutes because fans of the home team had thrown objects onto the pitch.
A ghost match for Albania
The result was a 1-0 win for Poland It was logical that the incidents would have repercussions – and now the world governing body announced the penalties, which do not only relate to the incidents surrounding the goal. For disrupting the playing of the anthems, setting off pyrotechnics, blocking pathways and poor order inside the stadium, as well as throwing objects and failing to enforce law and order in the stadium, the Albanian federation has been fined 150,000 Swiss francs – and, more seriously, a home game with the spectators excluded.
Poland and Hungary also penalised
However, the Poles did not get off scot-free either. The Red and Whites, whose fans had also thrown objects onto the pitch, were fined 50,000 Swiss francs and ordered to play an away game without their own fans.
Hungary also received a penalty. The Magyars have to pay 75,000 Swiss francs for the use of pyrotechnics and improper behaviour by their own fans during the match in England and also have to play an away match without their own fans. The Hungarians had been ordered to play a ghost match for racist incidents in the first leg, among other things.
Pole position for Poland in race for second place
With two matchdays to go, England clearly lead Group I with 20 points, followed by Poland (17), Albania (15) and Hungary, who have only a theoretical chance of finishing second with eleven points. Albania visit England on 12 November and have a home match against Andorra three days later. Poland, on the other hand, travel to Andorra first (12.11.) and can then secure second place in the group at home against Hungary.
