Football strife for Albania and Serbia
06:45 AEST Fri Oct 3 2014
Albanian football chiefs have
rejected a proposal by their Serbian football counterparts to play their
high-risk Euro 2016 qualifiers without visiting fans.
The Serbian Football Federation (FSS) had proposed the ties on October 14 in Belgrade and October next year in Albania be played without visiting fans due to security concerns.
But Albanian Football Federation (FSHF) chief Armando Duka lamented: "A match without fans loses its true emotions.
"Serbian fans will be welcomed in Albania for the Albania-Serbia match in October 2015."
The FSHF said in a statement they had demanded tickets for the match in Belgrade and urged authorities there to "take the necessary steps to ensure the (Albanian) supporters' safety".
Serbian football authorities feared possible incidents before and during the between the two Balkan countries where relations are tense.
"By deciding to bring their fans to Belgrade, the Albanian federation took on full responsiblity for their behaviour," the Serbian federation said in a statement.
Relations between Belgrade and Tirana have been sensitive notably since former Serbian province of Kosovo, whose inhabitants are mostly ethnic Albanians, declared independence in 2008.
Kosovo's independence has been recognised by more than 100 countries, including the United States and most European Union member states.
But the former Serbian province is still not a member of world football governing body FIFA and cannot take part in international tournaments.
The Serbian Football Federation (FSS) had proposed the ties on October 14 in Belgrade and October next year in Albania be played without visiting fans due to security concerns.
But Albanian Football Federation (FSHF) chief Armando Duka lamented: "A match without fans loses its true emotions.
"Serbian fans will be welcomed in Albania for the Albania-Serbia match in October 2015."
The FSHF said in a statement they had demanded tickets for the match in Belgrade and urged authorities there to "take the necessary steps to ensure the (Albanian) supporters' safety".
Serbian football authorities feared possible incidents before and during the between the two Balkan countries where relations are tense.
"By deciding to bring their fans to Belgrade, the Albanian federation took on full responsiblity for their behaviour," the Serbian federation said in a statement.
Relations between Belgrade and Tirana have been sensitive notably since former Serbian province of Kosovo, whose inhabitants are mostly ethnic Albanians, declared independence in 2008.
Kosovo's independence has been recognised by more than 100 countries, including the United States and most European Union member states.
But the former Serbian province is still not a member of world football governing body FIFA and cannot take part in international tournaments.
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