Spaniards give in under pressure, set to allow anthem and flag of so-called Kosovo in football game

Photo: Tanjug/AP

The Spanish Football Association will after all recognize the state sovereignty of Kosovo, at least symbolically and as a one-off, when these two teams meet in Seville on March 31 as part of qualifications for the World Cup in Qatar.

Recommended

Tensions between the two associations arose when the Spanish Football Association, respecting the position of its government, announced a match with the "territory of Kosovo" which of course provoked strong reactions from the other side.

In the meantime, the highest international instances obviously intervened, as well as the International Olympic Committee, so now, ahead of the game in Seville, so-called state of Kosovo' anthem and flag will be displayed.

The Spanish newspaper El Confidencial reported about all this, according to media in Kosovo.

Pristina website Koha Ditore also says that they received a confirmation from UEFA that the match will be played and organized according to all valid rules of this European organization,without any exceptions.

The Kosovo outlet reminds that Spain is one of five EU members who do not recognize Kosovo and that in the past the country also caused problems for athletes and teams from Kosovo.

(Telegraf.rs)