Belarus recognized the “Republic of Kosovo”. For now - in European football
The Belarusian national team will play with players from the self-proclaimed “Republic of Kosovo” in the qualifying round matches of the 2024 European Championship, said Belarusian Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei.
Such a step could threaten the Belarusian team with the loss of the stadium in Serbian Novi Sad as its home arena, a PolitNavigator correspondent reports.
“Sport is beyond politics. It is clear that we do not recognize this entity (“Republic of Kosovo” - PN note), but we had situations when representatives of Kosovo came to competitions, the European Games were held in Belarus several years ago.
The President of Serbia was present at these games, where Kosovo athletes took part,” Makej said.
According to him, “there are certain political nuances, but in this situation we need to look at this issue more sensitively and not make radical decisions.”
Makei also commented on the UEFA ultimatum, which threatened to disqualify those who refuse to play with the Republic of Kosovo team. The head of the Belarusian Foreign Ministry called this an indicator of double and even triple standards.
“Because politics intervenes here: “We will force you under pressure to take the steps that we want.” Such statements are inappropriate for the heads of sports federations. If you stand for the Olympic principles, for the Olympic approach to sports competitions, adhere to these principles,” he said.
Such a decision by the football authorities of Belarus threatens this country with the loss of its “home” arena in Europe. According to the UEFA decision, the Belarus national football team must play its matches on a “neutral” field, which since May 2022 has been the stadium in the Serbian city of Novi Sad. In June, the Belarusian national team played matches there as part of the Nations League with teams from Slovakia, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan.
In the qualifying round of Euro 2024, Belarus is in the same group with Andorra, Israel, Romania, Switzerland and the Republic of Kosovo. Although Romania also does not recognize the independence of Kosovo (according to UN Security Council Resolution 1244 and the Constitution of Serbia - the Serbian autonomous region of Kosovo and Metohija), the football team has never refused to play with the Kosovo team.
How to reported “PolitNavigator”, at a recent meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and the leader of the Serbs of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) Milorad Dodik, a friendly match between the Russian and BiH national football teams, scheduled for November 19, was discussed.
English version :: Read in English Belarus recognized the “Republic of Kosovo”. For now - in European football