FIFA's decision to impliment goal-line technology
despite lack of enthusiasm from UEFA is not the only area where Sepp
Blatter has chosen to simply ignore Michel Platini.
On July 4, a delegation of the Football Federation of Kosovo was received at FIFA's headquarters in Zurich by Blatter to discuss how to impliment a decision taken by the world body's executive committee in Budapest to allow Kosovo's national team and clubs to play against existing members of the world body.
On July 4, a delegation of the Football Federation of Kosovo was received at FIFA's headquarters in Zurich by Blatter to discuss how to impliment a decision taken by the world body's executive committee in Budapest to allow Kosovo's national team and clubs to play against existing members of the world body.
The FFK delegation was led by President Fadil
Vokrri and composed by 1st Vice-president Predrag Jovic and General
Secretary Eroll Salihu. (see photo: l-r Vokrri, Blatter, Jovic, Salihu)
Platini had insisted that Kosovo would not be allowed to do this until recognised by the United Nations. Since declaring independence in 2008, 91 out of 193 UN members have done so, which was enough for Blatter who this week insisted that the decision taken on May 22 by his ExCo was “irreversible”
decision.
UEFA's decision to back Serbia, who oppose Kosovan independence, looks more ridiculous by the week as German DFB has just finished
three-week course for coaches in Kosovo, while the Swedish SvFF plans to donate the old stands
from Stockholm's Rasunda Stadium, which will close after an August 15 friendly between Sweden and Brazil.
The European Union has also agreed to finance
construction of six artificial pitches in Kosovo to be laid next year. Platini and UEFA look increasingly out-of-step and isolated on both this issue and others and their reaction when the FFK announces the first official opponents for Kosovo will be interesting. That decision is expected in September.
