By Andrew Warshaw
May 3 – Kosovo finally won its long battle for footballing recognition today when it became the 55th member of UEFA and, like Gibraltar, could now be fast-tracked into the 2018 World Cup qualifying programme.
After a tense build-up to an eagerly awaited vote at the UEFA congress in Budapest, with Serbia vehemently protesting Kosovo’s entry and Albania taking the opposite stance, UEFA members voted 28-24 to give formal eligibility to the former province of Serbia. Two votes were declared invalid.
Recognised by a majority of United Nations countries if not by the UN itself, Kosovan authorities had been chipping away for the best part of two years to try and become a fully-fledged footballing nation. Although they have been playing friendly matches, competitive senior tournament fixtures have so far been denied them. But that will now change if FIFA also welcomes them to the party at its congress in Mexico next week. FIFA’s new established ruling council meets in Mexico City on Monday, and can add Kosovo’s application to the agenda of the full congress four days later.
The UEFA decision means teams from Kosovo, which declared independence from Serbia in 2008, can at least enter European club and national team competitions, but Serbian FA boss Tomislav Karadzic, in a damning address, fought hard against Kosovo’s admittance.
“This is a political, not a footballing proposal,” he told delegates. “We are facing a stern test, we must say no to politics, no to divisions that are maybe detrimental. It would create tumult in the region and open a Pandora’s box throughout Europe,” he said as he referred, pointedly, to the “proclaimed football federation of Kosovo”.
“I was hoping I would never have to talk about this topic because I believed we would be successful in saving football from politics,” added Karadzic.
In his address before the vote, Spain’s acting UEFA President Angel Villar Llona also appeared to be against Kosovo’s admission saying it was “very sensitive” and warning of the possibility of “political consequences.” But neither he nor the Serbs could convince quite enough members to vote against as Kosovo, granted permission two years ago to play friendly matches but with restrictions – including a ban on displaying national symbols and playing national anthems – entered a brand new era of respectability and acceptance.
Fadil Vokrri, the Kosovo federation president, could not hide his joy and relief, saying the issue “essentially boils down to whether someone will allow or deny children to play football.”
“On behalf of all our staff, our coaches, our referees, our fans and of all young players in my country who have long dedicated their lives to football, this is a historic moment,” he said.
“I will make a pledge: I will defend football’s values in a region that not very long ago was still ravaged by the scourge of war. We will work to bring people together on the pitch and around the pitch. This is our vision for the future as the 55th member association of UEFA.”
“The International Court of Justice has stated that Kosovo did not breach international law and an agreement was signed with Serbia saying the acceptance of Kosovo within European structures would not constitute any obstacle and this should apply to UEFA.”
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