November 5 – Kosovo’s Football Association has met FIFA and UEFA in Zurich today to negotiate the country’s footballing future on the international stage.
But hopes that the discussion would bring together the associations of Serbia and Kosovo did not materialise after officials from Belgrade pulled out.
The international and European federations agreed to put the issue of transferring players from Kosovo to other leagues to a vote when the Executive Committee of FIFA meets next month.
But no concrete progress was made on Kosovo’s key demand – membership of the international football community.
Kosovo’s football team is currently unable to participate on the international stage because to become a member of FIFA and UEFA it must first secure a seat at the United Nations.
Currently Kosovo’s declaration of independence has been recognised by 62 countries.
Serbia’s Football Association had confirmed on earlier this month that its President, Tomislav Karadzic, would talk with representatives of the football association of Kosovo.
But Serbia later told FIFA that its representatives would not attend the meeting.
In a letter to FIFA General Secretary Jerome Valcke, the Serbian FA wrote: “Regarding your call to the meeting, we would like to inform you that talks on the issue have been held with all the relevant figures within the Serbian FA.
“According to the stances, which were expressed on the issue during the talks, we inform you that we are unable to accept the invitation for the proposed meeting.”