March 24 – Having had one request turned down, Albania’s FA is having a second crack at trying to persuade the authorities to allow a limited number of fans to attend their World Cup qualifier against England on Sunday – this time suggesting they are first vaccinated against coronavirus.
The FA has asked Prime Minister Edi Rama to permit 30% of the seats – or about 6,500 – at the National Arena in Tirana to be filled.
“I would suggest that all persons who have been vaccinated, profiting from the mass vaccination that you as a government have been holding … are allowed at the stadium,” FA president Armand Duka wrote, according to The Associated Press.
Only about 50,000 people have vaccinated so far in Albania, which has a population of 2.8 million.
The Albanian Health Ministry has already once denied the association’s request due to rising daily cases.
“I am confident that you will consider this request for the good of the Albanian football and the love our fans have for the red-and-black shirt,” Duka added.
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