October 14 – The Football Federation of Kosovo is preparing an official complaint to UEFA following incidents during the Serbia-Switzerland and Czech Republic-Albania Nations League matches.
The Kosovans strongly condemn the display of banners with the map of Kosovo covered with the Serbian flag and the inscription ‘No surrender’ as well as the anti-Kosovo chants during the matches, Serbia -Switzerland and the Czech Republic-Albania.
“These unacceptable acts, which are happening continuously by Serbian fans and fans of some other countries that are close to such Serbian groups, have no place in football and in any sports arena, as they spread hatred and division between peoples and of states,” says a Kosovo federation statement.
“We remind you that such incidents are in complete opposition to the values that UEFA and the international football community represent. Football should serve as a powerful platform for promoting peace, coexistence and values of equality everywhere,” it continues.
“FFK, as an equal member with the federations of other countries, has prepared the official complaint to UEFA, with the evidence of all the violations and insults made to the state of Kosovo, requesting that immediate measures be taken to punish in a way that tougher such scenes and to prevent their recurrence in the future.
“Football stadiums should serve as spectacle arenas for real fans and not as a place to display irredentism, racism and various insults.
“FFK remains loyal to the promotion of values, respect and solidarity in sport and will engage at every level to ensure that these acts will be punished by the mechanisms of international football,” the statement concluded.
Contact the writer of this story, Aleksander Krassimorov, at moc.l1734933100labto1734933100ofdlr1734933100owedi1734933100sni@o1734933100fni1734933100