Football Federation of Kosovo becomes 55th UEFA member eight years after independence
By Fatjon Prroni
ANKARA
Eight
years after declaring independence, Kosovo on Tuesday became the newest
member of UEFA, the governing body of European football.
The vote paves the way for FIFA membership later this month.
Acting
UEFA President Angel Maria Villar, speaking at a UEFA congress streamed
live from Budapest, Hungary, said Kosovo’s application was accepted by
28 votes to 24 and two abstentions.
The
vote allows the Kosovan national team to compete for the European
Championships and for Kosovan clubs to participate in UEFA competitions
such as the Europa and Champions leagues.
It
also raises hopes that a similar vote at the FIFA Congress on May 13
will allow Kosovo to participate in the qualifying rounds of the 2018
World Cup this autumn.
Fadil
Vokrri, president of the Football Federation of Kosovo, described the
vote as an “historical moment” and said: “It is a great emotion… I
extend my gratitude to all of you.”
The
President of the Serbian Football Association Tomislav Karadzic
strongly opposed the move, citing Kosovo’s lack of UN membership. Kosovo
was previously governed by Serbia.
A
number of national teams, including Albania, Switzerland and Belgium,
have players who trace their roots to Kosovo and who could switch their
allegiance now the country is recognized by UEFA.
Despite this, the president of the Albanian Football Federation, Armand Duka, strongly supported the bid.
Kosovo
declared independence from Serbia in 2008 and is recognized by more
than 110 UN members, including the U.S., the U.K., France, Germany and
Turkey. Serbia and its allies have lobbied against Kosovan bids to join
international organizations and Russia, a permanent member of the UN
Security Council, has threatened to veto any UN membership bid.
Kosovo
is due to compete in this year’s Olympic Games, having gained
International Olympic Committee membership in December 2014.
UEFA also elected Florence Hardouin of France as the first female member of the UEFA Executive Committee on Tuesday.
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