Romania's fans had already struck with racist behavior at home games against Spain and Malta - on Friday night they have now insulted in the European Championship qualifiers apparently also Sweden striker Alexander Isak. After his substitution in the 78th minute he had heard racist swear words and asked the referee whether he had heard them, so Isak on Swedish radio: "But he had heard nothing."
The game continued initially, but was interrupted in the final stages. On television, a golf ball had been thrown out of the stands in Isak's direction as he was dribbling the ball along the goal line. Referee Daniele Orsato then stopped the encounter briefly. After a stadium announcement, the game continued, Sweden won 2-0 and qualified for the European Championship 2020.
"We are prepared for it"
Isak had told the referee by his own admission that he should not interrupt the game. "I think you should not be so influenced by such - sorry - idiots," said the 20-year-old, "It hurts, it's a shame, but we're prepared for it."
Leipzig's Emil Forsberg criticized the behavior on the ranks. "It takes away all the beauty of football, it's hard to be happy when it happens," he told TV station SVT. Racism has no place here and elsewhere. Striker Marcus Berg said: "This is incredibly sad, incomprehensible and inexcusable."
Romanian fans were already in September against Spain (1: 2) and Malta (1: 0) noticed racist behavior and a rush of seats. In the European Championship qualification, it had come before in other games to racist failures. For example, players from England's national team were offended at the match in Bulgaria.