FIFA to reexamine its controversial Kosovo decision

Two meetings held in Budapest on Wednesday by officials of FIFA and UEFA decided to "reexamine" the former's decision to allow Kosovo to play friendly matches. Earlier this week, the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) decided to allow the team of the so-called "Republic of Kosovo" to play friendlies, sparking a strong reaction from the Serbian Football Association (FSS), and condemnation from UEFA chief Michel Platini. FIFA to reexamine its controversial Kosovo decision Despite the fact that all eight FIFA Executive Committee members from UEFA were against, the decision was adopted on the recommendation of FIFA President Sepp Blatter. Full membership in FIFA is possible only for UN members - something that Kosovo has not achieved, due to the fact that Serbia rejects the ethnic Albanian unilateral declaration of independence made in early 2008. On Wednesday, FSS President Tomislav Karadzic, who attended two meetings in Budapest, expressed his satisfaction with the outcome. A statement posted on the FSS website said that Karadzic first met with Platini and UEFA representatives, and later with Blatter and other FIFA officials. "(FSS) President Karadzic informed both meetings about the possible negative consequences that the adoption of such a decision could have for our region, and for our entire continent. Also, Tomislav Karadzic expressed his strong dissatisfaction over the fact that the decision was made behind closed doors and without the presence of the FSS representative," said the statement. It added that the meetings in Budapest decided that the decision would be "sent back for consideration to the UEFA Executive Committee, and then to the FIFA Executive Committee". "It has also been stressed in no uncertain terms that the so-called Football Association of Kosovo will not be joining either UEFA or FIFA, because the UEFA Statute defines it very precisely that membership is open only for countries internationally recognized by the United Nations." "Lastly, an urgent meeting has been scheduled for May 31 in FIFA's headquarters in Zurich, that will be attended by representatives of FIFA, UEFA, and the FSS," the statement said, and expressed the Serbian Football Association's gratitude to UEFA President Michel Platini - who in the past three times rejected membership applications submitted by the so-called Football Association of Kosovo. The FSS also thanked all UEFA and FIFA officials who sit on the FIFA Executive Committee and who voted against the controversial decision related to Kosovo. In a statement made for B92 earlier in the day, Fadil Vokri, who heads the Kosovo Football Association, said that FIFA's decision was "final", and that UEFA "could not change it". In the meanwhile, it was reported that the Football Association of the Serb entity in Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Serb Republic (RS), had decided to go to FIFA and request that it, too, should be allowed to play friendly international matches. Sepp Blatter (file) B92 FSS.rs

FIFA to reexamine its controversial Kosovo decision

Despite the fact that all eight FIFA Executive Committee members from UEFA were against, the decision was adopted on the recommendation of FIFA President Sepp Blatter.

Full membership in FIFA is possible only for UN members - something that Kosovo has not achieved, due to the fact that Serbia rejects the ethnic Albanian unilateral declaration of independence made in early 2008.

On Wednesday, FSS President Tomislav Karadžić, who attended two meetings in Budapest, expressed his satisfaction with the outcome.

A statement posted on the FSS website said that Karadžić first met with Platini and UEFA representatives, and later with Blatter and other FIFA officials.

"(FSS) President Karadžić informed both meetings about the possible negative consequences that the adoption of such a decision could have for our region, and for our entire continent. Also, Tomislav Karadžić expressed his strong dissatisfaction over the fact that the decision was made behind closed doors and without the presence of the FSS representative," said the statement.

It added that the meetings in Budapest decided that the decision would be "sent back for consideration to the UEFA Executive Committee, and then to the FIFA Executive Committee".

"It has also been stressed in no uncertain terms that the so-called Football Association of Kosovo will not be joining either UEFA or FIFA, because the UEFA Statute defines it very precisely that membership is open only for countries internationally recognized by the United Nations."

"Lastly, an urgent meeting has been scheduled for May 31 in FIFA's headquarters in Zurich, that will be attended by representatives of FIFA, UEFA, and the FSS," the statement said, and expressed the Serbian Football Association's gratitude to UEFA President Michel Platini - who in the past three times rejected membership applications submitted by the so-called Football Association of Kosovo.

The FSS also thanked all UEFA and FIFA officials who sit on the FIFA Executive Committee and who voted against the controversial decision related to Kosovo.

In a statement made for B92 earlier in the day, Fadil Vokri, who heads the Kosovo Football Association, said that FIFA's decision was "final", and that UEFA "could not change it".

In the meanwhile, it was reported that the Football Association of the Serb entity in Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Serb Republic (RS), had decided to go to FIFA and request that it, too, should be allowed to play friendly international matches.