( CNN ) -- It 's a plot twist that even a thriller writer might have struggled to come up with during Serbia 's European qualifying clash with Albania in Belgrade . A drone flying a flag depicting the `` Greater Albania '' over a major international soccer game Tuesday was the subject of a 'whodunnit ' mystery after the brother of the Albanian prime minister hit back at allegations by a Serbian government official that he had been piloting the quadcopter . `` I am very disgusted by the allegation of my having any involvement in the piloting of the drone , '' Olsi Rama told CNN Wednesday , who said he had been taking pictures of the game from a VIP suite at the stadium . As a football match mushroomed into a diplomatic incident amid claim and counter-claim in a region of a world that is still riven by ethnic divisions , his version of events conflicted with Serbia 's version of events . `` According to the information from the police he ( Olsi Rama ) was in possession of the navigator , '' said a Serbian official as the country 's football federation labeled the drone flight a `` terrorist action planned in advance . '' UEFA has confirmed that disciplinary proceedings have been opened against both teams . The game was abandoned after 41 minutes with players clashing after the flag was taken down by a Serbian player . Rama insisted the police 's actions were part of a Serbian `` plot , '' after discovering he was the Albanian prime minister 's brother . `` There were 50 or so Albanian guys who can say I did n't have the controller -- they searched everyone . '' The Serbian prime minister 's office also stated that Rama was arrested and sent home to Albania , a claim denied by the Albanian government 's spokesman . `` There is no proof whatsoever and Olsi Rama was never arrested in Belgrade , '' Endri Fuga , communications director for the prime minister of Albania told CNN . `` He has nothing to do with the drone . '' The contest , played at Partizan 's stadium in Belgrade , was abandoned near the end of the first half following ugly scenes involving fans and players . `` When you have 32,000 people shouting kill , kill , kill Albanians , it 's living in another dimension , '' said Rama . Albanian players ran from the field , while a number of missiles and flares were thrown from the stands by some home supporters . Images from photo agencies showed fans had invaded the pitch . `` What happened last night in Belgrade is truly sad , '' Fuga told CNN . `` The Albanian government firmly condemns the despicable expressions of racism and violence against the Albanian National team players . `` We put all of our trust in UEFA to conduct a fair investigation which sheds light on the truth of all that happened in the Belgrade Stadium , from the start of our national anthem to the very last moment that our squad left the stadium , '' added Fuga referring to European football 's governing body . `` Football should never be mixed with politics and state politics can not be driven by what happens in a football match . '' Fuga believes the scenes witnessed in the Serbian capital offer `` further proof that the ghosts of the past '' that still haunt the Balkans . `` The false story that the Albanian prime minister 's brother instigated the showdown of violence by launching a drone carrying a flag over the stadium , is a testament to the presence of harmful elements that wish to keep this region mired in the past , '' said Fuga , who explained Rama was one of a few dozen Albanians who attended the game with valid tickets provided by the country 's football association . He says that the group were searched by police but not found to be carrying anything . `` The Albanian Prime Minister remains firmly committed to fostering this new , historical chapter of peace and cooperation , '' said Fuga . `` He will do all in his power to ensure it will not be closed by hatreds such as those which cast such a negative shadow on the football game . '' Rama says that he was moved from the VIP box for security reasons and informed the authorities that he held American citizenship before being given a police escort to waiting buses . `` I tried with my broken Serbian to understand what was happening , but they said this is orders , '' he added . `` I had no involvement in the drone . When the banner came up we had no idea , we thought some Serbians set it up . '' Prime Minister Rama is scheduled to arrive in Belgrade in the next few days -- the first such visit by an Albanian leader in 68 years . In a statement on its website , UEFA said that the match `` was abandoned and the circumstances will be reported to the UEFA Control , Ethics and Disciplinary Body . '' UEFA spokesperson Pedro Pinto told CNN an announcement on sanctions against both countries are expected to be made within a week . Albania 's first visit to Belgrade since 1967 was expected to be a tense occasion , though the events of Tuesday evening appeared to catch security authorities by surprise . The `` Greater Albania '' insignia , which was attached to the drone , refers to the idea of an extended area in which all ethnic Albanians reside -- one which would include Kosovo . The two illustrated figures on the flag were Isa Boletini , an Albanian nationalist who led uprisings against the Serbs and Ottomans in 1912 and 1913 , while the other , Ismail Qemali , is considered to be the founder of the modern Albanian state , which became independent in 1912 . The word `` Autochthonous , '' which refers to an indigenous inhabitant of a place , was emblazoned at the bottom of the flag and is considered an offense to Serbians . When Serbian player Stefan Mitrovic ripped the flag down , it provided the catalyst for an already combustible tie to fully ignite . Albanian players ran from the field , while a number of missiles and flares were thrown from the stands by some home supporters . Images from photo agencies showed fans had invaded the pitch . Martin Atkinson , the English referee , took the players off the field with the game goalless . `` What happened is something we ca n't comprehend at the moment , '' Serbia captain Branislav Ivanovic told reporters following the abandonment . `` On behalf of my team , all I can say is that we wanted to carry on and that we shielded the Albanian players every step of the way to the tunnel ( after the riot broke out ) . `` The Albanian team said they were unfit physically and mentally to carry on after talking to the officials and they will now decide the fate of this match . `` We can only regret that football took a back seat but it is difficult to draw any conclusions or make any comments now . '' Security had been tight in the lead up to the contest in Belgrade with away fans prevented from attending amidst heightening tensions over Kosovo -- a majority-Albanian former Serbian province which declared independence in 2008 . In 1999 , a 78-day air war was launched by NATO to stop the killing off ethnic Albanians in Kosovo by Serbian forces . Kosovo 's independence is recognized by many countries including the United States , the United Kingdom , Germany and France -- but not Serbia . Four of Albania 's starting lineup were born in Kosovo , with Lorik Cana of Italian club Lazio , goalkeeper Etrit Berisha , midfielder Burim Kukeli and Ermir Lenjani . With Kosovo not recognized as a state by the United Nations , it is unable to join FIFA or UEFA , meaning some of its players have adopted other countries . Xherdan Shaqiri , who plays his club football with Bayern Munich , represents Switzerland as does Valon Behrami and Granit Xhaka . While Kosovo is able to play friendly matches , the team can not compete in international competition . Belgium-born Adnan Januzaj , one of the most exciting talents in the English Premier League with Manchester United , turned down the opportunity to play for Kosovo , where his father is from . He was also eligible for Albania through his mother 's lineage . `` We came to Belgrade to play football , but we were physically attacked by the Serbian supporters , '' Cana told reporters on Tuesday . `` We just wanted to take the flag , and everything would be under control if the stadium security at the stadium had prevented the supporters from attacking our players . `` I was defending my teammate , I have injuries to my face , as does Taulant Xhaka . They asked us to play in front of empty stands ( instead of abandonment ) -- however , we did not feel good because of our injuries . '' The two countries must now wait for UEFA to make a decision on whether the game should be replayed . and what punishments are handed out . `` It is a regretful situation on which we will report ; the referee , myself and the security adviser . The circumstances were such that we could n't continue the match , '' UEFA 's match delegate , Harry Been told reporters . `` You all saw what happened and I can not comment on who is to blame or what to blame . I will submit a report with my colleagues to UEFA and UEFA will decide what will happen further . ''
Prime minister of Albania 's brother hits back at allegations . Serbian official told Rama that drone was controlled by Valon Behrami . Albania vs. Serbia game abandoned after last night . Flag flown over stadium by drone sparked chaos .