November 27 – UEFA has told the Kosovo Football Federation (FFK) that it cannot use the Fadil Vokrri Stadium in Pristina for international matches until the pitch has undergone repair to make the surface playable.
The FFK said that it has immediately begun urgent repairs and a new top class turf pitch is to be laid. The renovation will be financed by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports of Kosovo.
Fadil Vokrri Stadium is the only stadium in Kosovo that has a license to host matches in European competitions.
The stadium is used by Kosovo’s national team and FC Balkani, who this season are participating in the UEFA Conference League.
Heavy use of the pitch for UEFA games and above average rainfall have eventually made the pitch unplayable with the FFK saying that the volume of games gave it no chance to repair.
Due to the renovation, UEFA has moved the game between Balkani and Viktoria Pilsen on November 30 to the Air Albania stadium in Tirana.
Kosovo’s national team will play their upcoming friendly games in March 2024 abroad.
“The Football Federation of Kosovo wants to inform the public about the situation of the Fadil Vokrri stadium and UEFA’s decision not to hold matches in this stadium. Given the existing situation of the field, the Football Federation of Kosovo, in cooperation with the Ministry of Sports, will make a complete renovation of the field in this stadium, an investment which will be carried out by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports,” said. FFK statement.
“President Agim Ademi and Minister Hajrulla Çeku have agreed to transform the carpet of this stadium into a hybrid field of the highest level, as work will begin from the base of the field: drainage, the new irrigation system as well as for the first time this field will also have a heating system. This project will provide a modern field, as in all world football arenas, which the ‘Fadil Vokrri’ stadium deserves and which UEFA has also requested.
“So, from now until the complete renovation, the football activity in the Fadil Vokrri stadium will stop. As a result, the friendly matches of the National Team, in March, will take place abroad. However, we assure the opinion that the Fadil Vokrri stadium will be ready to welcome the national teams and clubs from the next football season.
Kosovo is also developing stadiums in the city of Gjilan and the Adem Jashari stadium in Mitrovica, while in the near future other government-backed infrastructure projects are expected to be realised.
Contact the writer of this story, Aleksander Krassimirov, at moc.l1719518784labto1719518784ofdlr1719518784owedi1719518784sni@o1719518784fni1719518784