The situation in Moldova remains tense. A Russian missile flew over the country last Friday and Chisinau closed its airspace on Tuesday for “security reasons”. Moldovan secret services reportedly uncovered a plot to overthrow the pro-European Union government and replace it with a pro-Russian one.
They alerted the state and the decision was taken not to allow Partizan supporters to travel to Chisinau. Several troublemakers reportedly intended to infiltrate Partizan Belgrade’s fan groups before the game against Sheriff Tiraspol, a club from Transnistria, a pro-Russian secessionist region which now plays its matches in the Moldovan capital at the request of the UEFA.
Maia Sandu, President of Moldova reacted and declared that “their plan was to overthrow the government”. “People with military backgrounds were to start riots. We received solid intelligence reports telling us what was going to happen.” she added.
Arrived this Tuesday morning in Chisinau, supporters of Partizan Belgrade were immediately ordered to return to Serbia. A Moldavian MP from the PAS party (center right) even spoke of “saboteurs”. The country’s authorities have since announced that the Europa League Conference match scheduled for Thursday between Sheriff Tiraspol and Partizan Belgrade will be played behind closed doors. The Serbian club, second behind OGC Nice in its Europa League Conference group, will in turn host the Moldovan club next week.