Football incident could have political ramifications

Football incident could have political ramifications

BELGRADE -- The scandal that resulted in the abandoning of a Euro qualifier between Serbia and Albania could have wider implications, the Beta news agency is reporting.

There is now a question mark over the announced visit of Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama.

His trip to Belgrade was scheduled for October 22, and he should be the first prime minister of Albania to visit Serbia in 70 years.

However, after it was reported that his brother was the one person responsible for organizing the provocation at the Partizan stadium last night when a map of Greater Albania was displayed, the Priština-based Albanian language daily Gazetta Express writes that "it is possible the visit will not take place."

B92 has learned that Olsi Rama and several other persons were detained in the VIP lounge of the stadium last night, but were then released and allowed to return to Tirana. Once back in Albania, Rama denied that he was responsible for the incident.

It is not known what happened during those 40 minutes at the Partizan stadium, but it is believed that Rama showed his United States passport to the police. This was confirmed by the media in Tirana as well, who said he was "not the only one with a U.S. passport," as "the documents of three other people were also checked."

The embassy of Albania in Belgrade, meanwhile, did not wish to offer any comment on last night's events, Beta said.

As for Serbian officials, so far public reactions have come from Foreign Minister Ivica Dačić, Minister of Sport Vanja Udovičić, and Labor Minister Aleksandar Vulin.

Judging by their statements it is clear that official Belgrade sees the whole...