FIFA rejects FSS objection

BELGRADE - The Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) rejected the objection filed by the Football Association of Serbia (FSS) which requested that the decision be revoked according to which the Kosovo team is allowed to play friendly matches.

The objection was rejected with an explanation that the Football Federation of Kosovo did not violate the agreement when playing the friendly match with Haiti in Kosovska Mitrovica on March 5, the Belgrade-based daily Vecernje Novosti reported.

A day after the match, FSS sent a protest letter to FIFA President Sepp Blatter in which it noted that despite the agreed terms, the players of the Kosovo soccer team wore the apparel displaying the coat of arms of the so-called Football Federation of Kosovo.

In the letter, FSS also underscored that soccer was in the background at the friendly match in Kosovska Mitrovica and that the match was used as a direct attack on the Republic of Serbia, its citizens, symbols of the state and statehood.

The match with Haiti was the first friendly match the Kosovo team played since January, when FIFA issued the permission for the representation to play in matches without displaying national symbols and intonation of the anthem.

Photo Tanjug/J. Pap, illustration