International Relations and Soccer (Football):
Albania and Serbia 2016 Euro Cup Qualifier
Today, Tuesday October 14th, 2014, Albania and Serbia are set to play in a soccer game as part of the 2016 Euro Cup qualifier. This first match is being played in Serbia. However, FIFA officials are not allowing Albanian fans to enter into the stadium. And in the second match between the two sides in 2015, Serbian fans will not be allowed to enter into Tirana. For this game today, i an Albanian supporter enters into the stadium, according to Milivoj Mirkov, who heads security for the Serbian Football Federation, “[e]very Albanian supporter that tries to attend the match will be arrested and prosecuted.” According to the Guardian (2014), “The Albanian FA’s request for 2,000 tickets was met with a condition from Serbia that tickets should be sold only to Albanian passport holders. Tirana refused this; such a rule would exclude the huge Albanian diaspora all over Europe, but most importantly, the residents of Kosovo”
The tension stems from the political history between Serbia and the ethnic Albanian community in Kosovo. In 1999, the military under leader Slobodon Milosevic committed ethnic cleansing in Kosovo. Kosovo was a providence in Serbia and the former Yugoslavia, but declared independence in 2008. While the United States, and many other states have recognized Kosovo, many others (including Serbia and Russia) have not. And while Kosovo is recognized by various states, they are not a member of the United Nations (because in order to be a full member, the United Nations Security Council must approve the state, and Russia, with a veto power, does not seem to be willing to do so). Furthermore, Kosovo is also not a member of Uefa or Fifa, since they are not a United Nations member (Guardian, 2014).
And in terms of the players, while Kosovo itself cannot participate in these qualifiers, seven Albanian national players are from Kosovo (Guardian, 2014). The players themselves admit that that is game is unlike any other.
Looking at the situation with regards to the game between Serbia and Albania, it is evident that this game carries much more than points for the Euro Cup. This is a case where it is clear that the tensions at the stadium are sure to be high given the political history, as well as their current relationship between Serbia and Kosovo (although in recent years, the two countries have come closer in working together on issues).
Regarding the banning of opposing fans, this is a good move to not allow opposing supporters into the stadium, given the history between these two states. Again, we must remember that with all of these games, the most important thing is overall safety. And given the context of this match, it is a good precaution to not allow opposing supporters, in order to minimize the level of fighting that could arise from this situation.
But this story is clear evidence that international relations can shape sports and a sporting event.
