AFF with official statement, demands explanations from Serbia

2025-04-12 23:55:00, Sport CNA

The Albanian Football Federation has sent an official letter to the Serbian Football Federation, expressing its deep concern regarding the incident that occurred on April 6 in Bosilegrad, during the championship match in the fifth Serbian league between KF Trnoc and Mladost.

According to images published in the media and a statement from the Tërnoci club itself, at the end of the match, Serbian police forces entered the field of play, where they physically assaulted football player Veton Zeqiri, while insults and threats were used against other team members. The police then raided the locker rooms, also checking the players' personal belongings.

In the letter to the FFS, the Albanian Football Federation emphasizes that this incident raises questions about the conditions under which teams and players participate in football activities and that such situations can also affect the spirit of fair play and mutual respect.

“We share our concern regarding a recent incident involving the KF Tërnoci team during a match held on April 6 in the Presheva Valley. According to several media reports and publicly available footage, at the end of the match, police forces entered the field, used physical force against at least one player — Mr. Veton Zeqiri — and then conducted searches in the team’s locker room, also searching the players’ personal belongings.

"This incident has caused considerable concern and raises serious questions about the conditions in which teams and players participate in football activities. Such situations not only endanger the well-being of those involved, but can also affect the spirit of fair play and mutual respect — essential elements for our sport, especially in the context of our joint preparations for the UEFA Euro U21 2027," the letter from the Albanian Football Association states, while also requesting that the facts be clarified and appropriate steps be taken to ensure that all players and teams are treated with fairness and dignity.

"In this context, we address you with understanding and respect to request that the Football Federation of Serbia carefully examine this matter, assist in clarifying the facts and, where necessary, take appropriate steps to ensure that all players and teams — without discrimination — are treated with fairness, dignity and in accordance with the principles that our sport represents."

The Albanian Football Federation will closely follow the ongoing developments and remains committed to protecting the rights and dignity of all Albanian football actors, inside and outside the country's borders.