Drone seized as soccer fans held in Kosovo before Euro game

PRAGUE (AP) — Officials say police in Kosovo have arrested eight Czech soccer fans who were allegedly planning to fly a drone with a pro-Serbia banner during Saturday’s 2020 European Championship qualifier between Kosovo and the Czech Republic.

Michal Jurman, spokesman for the Czech soccer association, says six men and two women were arrested near the Kosovo capital of Pristina. Police seized a drone, a Serbian flag and a banner that read “Kosovo is Serbia,” and also fireworks and a knife.

The Czech Foreign Ministry confirmed the incident.

Spokesman Robert Rehak says the arrests took place Friday and all eight people, one of whom also has Serbian citizenship, were released early Saturday.

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008 which Belgrade refuses to recognize.

The Czech Republic, which faces Kosovo in a Group A game in Pristina, is among the European Union states to have recognized Kosovo.