UEFA banned Albania fans from attending the Group I clash in Belgrade but elected to allow the two countries to face each other, despite long-standing political tensions.
And when away supporters flew their national flag -accompanied by a map of Kosovo and the message
'autochthonous', meaning indigenous - above the pitch using a remote-operated drone, Mitrovic's actions led to fighting between players and officials and havoc in the stands.
WHAT IS THE HISTORY INVOLVED IN THE SERBIA-ALBANIA ISSUE?
Albanian fans were banned from attending the match between the two Balkan rival nations, due to the
turbulent relations between the two.
These have mainly surrounded the over the former ethnic Albanian-dominated Serbian province of Kosovo.
Kosovo declared independence in 2008, but this is not recognised by Serbia.
NATO waged a 78-day air war in 1999 to halt the killing and expulsion of ethnic Albanians in Kosovo by Serbian forces fighting a two-year counter-insurgency war.
Serbia refuse to recognise Kosovo as an independent nation - an issue that is hotly disputed by Albanians who dominate the population of the Serbian province.
Referee Atkinson interrupted the match in the 41st minute after Mitrovic grabbed the flag and Albania's players tried to protect it. Several Serbian fans invaded the pitch and clashed with Albanian players.
The Albanian players had to flee the field, followed by Serbia's XI that included the likes of Branislav
Ivanovic, Matija Nastasic, Aleksander Kolarov, Dusan Tadic and Nemanja Matic.
At first, the home support had cheered the flag, but once it became clear that it was Albanian the mood in the stands turned.
Flares were lit, with a NATO flag
burnt as supporters clashed with riot police.
After a delay of around half an hour, Atkinson abandoned the game.
UEFA delegate Harry Been told journalists: 'You have all seen what happened and I cannot comment on
who or what is to blame. UEFA will decide what happens further.'
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