Serbia and Albania are facing stiff sanctions after UEFA charged the countries with a number of offences following the abandoned Euro 2016 qualifier in Belgrade.

The match was abandoned after a melee erupted after a mini unmanned drone trailed a pro- Albania flag over the stadium. UEFA has announced that disciplinary proceedings have been opened against the football associations of both countries.

Serbia have been charged with the throwing of missiles and fireworks, crowd disturbance, invasion of the pitch by supporters, insufficient organisation and use of a laser pointer.

– GALLERY: Incredible images from abandoned Serbia-Albania game

Albania have been charged with refusing to play and the display of an illicit banner.

Both countries are likely to be handed heavy fines and other sanctions, including possible points deductions, when UEFA's disciplinary body hears the case on October 23.

Albania faces forfeiting the match and Serbia could play future games behind closed doors, but UEFA is not expected to expel the countries from the competition.

UEFA president Michel Platini has described the incidents in the Partizan Stadium which followed the drone trailing a flag of Greater Albania banner – which incorporates parts of various other countries including Kosovo – as "inexcusable". The flag was hauled down by Serbia defender Stefan Mitrovic and then brawls erupted involving players, officials and fans. 

English referee Martin Atkinson then led the teams off the field with score at 0-0 as disruption in the stands threatened to boil over, with objects being thrown onto the pitch at Albanian players.

Platini said in a statement: "Football is supposed to bring people together and our game should not be mixed with politics of any kind. The scenes in Belgrade last night were inexcusable."

FIFA president Sepp Blatter added: ''Football should never be used for political messages. I strongly condemn what happened in Belgrade."