Romania-Bosnia Match to Exclude All Fans, Including Youth Players

Ashley Davis3 hours ago

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Romania-Bosnia Match to Exclude All Fans, Including Youth Players — FRF announces the upcoming Romania-Bosnia Nations Le

The Romanian Football Federation (FRF) has declared that the Nations League match between Romania and Bosnia, scheduled for September 28, will take place without any spectators, including children associated with football academies across the country.

This decision is rooted in logistical challenges faced by the organizers. Although the FRF initially hoped to accommodate thousands of young footballers from around the country, the timing of the match has complicated arrangements. The officials are unwilling to take responsibility for the long journey home for the children, as it falls on a school night.

Children Prohibited from Attending Romania-Bosnia Match

The match set for September 28 is a consequence of a UEFA ruling from nearly two years ago, following an incident in the autumn of 2024 when Kosovo left the pitch late in the game, citing xenophobic remarks by Romanian fans. UEFA awarded Romania a 3-0 victory but imposed a penalty that includes playing a match without spectators and a fine of €128,000. Although the national team has played multiple home games since, the punishment must be served in the same competition.

In light of this suspension, FRF officials sought to encourage young spectators by inviting children from football schools and educational institutions. However, due to logistical issues, the decision was made to bar children from the stadium altogether.

According to UEFA’s Disciplinary Commission, the Romania vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina match on September 28, 2026, at the Arena Națională will occur without any spectators, including children. Previous matches, such as those against Norway and Andorra, enjoyed positive emotional atmospheres, yet the FRF’s decision for the upcoming match is based on lessons learned and strict principles of fairness and safety. The FRF cannot restrict access to only schools and academies in Bucharest, as it must ensure equality for thousands of children eager to attend from all regions, including distant counties like Bihor, Maramureș, Botoșani, and Suceava. However, managing such logistics safely is deemed impossible due to two significant risks: the match starts at 21:45, and it is a school night, which could disrupt children’s educational schedules; and returning home after midnight poses serious safety concerns for minors and their guardians, a responsibility that the FRF believes should not be shouldered by anyone.

This is not the first instance where children were anticipated to attend events at the Arena Națională. In the recent European Championship 2024 qualifiers, Romania faced sanctions and had to play without fans but managed to bring over 21,000 children under 14 to a 4-0 victory against Andorra. Another noteworthy occasion was the match against Norway in the 2020 European Championship qualifiers, which drew 30,000 children to the nation’s largest stadium.