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World Cup Qualifier Serbia v Albania has been moved to Leskovac for security reasons.
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The smaller Dubocica Stadium allows tighter control.
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Both teams face a crucial, closely monitored clash.
Serbia’s home World Cup Qualifier against Albania has been moved from Belgrade to Leskovac, the Serbian Football Association said on Monday.
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UEFA approved the relocation for the October 11 fixture and Albania agreed to the move.
“The key reason is security — not only for the fans, but above all for the players and everyone else involved in the match,” – the FSS said in a statement late Monday.
They added that the game carries unusually high risk and must be tightly controlled.
Officials pointed to a series of tense episodes in past encounters between the two teams.
In 2014 a drone carrying a “Greater Albania” flag flew over the pitch and sparked angry fans to run onto the field, forcing that match to be abandoned.
The flag showed an expanded Albania that included Kosovo.
The territory remains a flashpoint in relations between the two nations.
After the teams drew 0-0 in Tirana earlier in the campaign, FIFA sanctioned Albania for fan conduct, citing “discriminatory behaviour” and the use of fireworks.
Media also reported that, ahead of a 2015 fixture in Elbasan, the Serbian team bus was pelted with stones.
FIFA has previously punished the FSS for “discrimination and racist abuse” by fans in other matches.
“Such a fixture carries the highest level of risk and requires full control to prevent incidents like those already witnessed in previous encounters between these two teams,” – the FSS said.
The federation added that staging the match in Leskovac would significantly reduce the chance of trouble.
“Relocating and organising the match in Leskovac significantly reduces the risk of potential incidents,” – the statement said.
https://www.channelstv.com/2025/09/16/serbia-albania-world-cup-qualifier-moved-over-security-fears/
The Dubocica Stadium in Leskovac, built two years ago, holds just over 8,000 supporters, allowing tighter security planning and crowd control.
Serbia sit third in the group, with England top and Albania second, and both teams know the result will be important for their qualifying hopes.
Fans and analysts will now watch how organisers manage ticketing, policing and away-fan access.
With tensions still raw, authorities say keeping the focus on the World Cup Qualifier itself is the priority.
