October 13 – The Football Federation of Kosovo (FFK) has strongly condemned the anti-Kosovo chants and provocative messages displayed in the stands of the Leskovac stadium during the Serbia-Albania World Cup qualifier. Among the banners was a Serbian flag superimposed on a map of Kosovo.
According to the FFK, these scenes are unfortunately not new to Serbian stadiums, where “the incitement of hatred and offensive messages against neighbouring states continues to be repeated without sufficient punishment.” The Federation emphasized that such actions contradict the spirit of sport, the principles of respect, and the values that UEFA and FIFA represent.
The FFK said it will submit a protest to UEFA, demanding that “clear and strict measures” be taken against the Football Association of Serbia for these “repeated acts that damage the image of football and violate the principles of UEFA and FIFA.”
At the same, the Football Federation of Kosovo congratulated the Albanian national team on its “deserved 1-0 victory over Serbia, a win that reflects the character, dedication, and strength of Albanian football.”
The FKK said that it will continue to “dignifiedly defend the values of sport, respect, and equality among peoples,” insisting that every football pitch in Europe should be “a place for the game, and not for hatred.”
At the same time, Dragan Stojković, the head coach of the Serbian national team, resigned from his position following the loss to Albania.
The management of Serbia’s senior ‘A’ national team for the next World Cup qualifier will be taken over by the current coach of the national youth team, Zoran Mirković. He joined the national team in Niš on Sunday morning.
Immediately upon returning from Andorra, on Friday, October 17, the Executive Board of the Football Association of Serbia (FSS) will convene to discuss changes at the helm of Serbia’s national team.
Contact the writer of this story, Aleksander Krassimirov, at [email protected]