PRISTINA — Kosovar police mentioned on November 11 that they’d stepped up safety measures a day earlier than the Euro 2024 qualifying soccer match between Kosovo and Israel, banning supplies with non secular and political content material round and close to the stadium within the capital, Pristina.
Police officers mentioned they might proceed to improve basic safety within the lead as much as and after the match, scheduled for November 12.
The match on the Fadil Vokrri Stadium is the primary for Israel’s nationwide group for the reason that battle between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, which has been declared a terrorist group by america and the European Union.
The match was initially scheduled for October 15 however was postponed after fighters from the extremist group attacked cities in southern Israel, killing round 1,200 folks and kidnapping greater than 240 others. The assault prompted Israel’s retaliatory navy motion within the Gaza Strip that has led to greater than 11,000 deaths, in accordance with Palestinian authorities.
Home safety forces turned down a request from a pro-Palestinian group in Kosovo — a rustic with a Muslim majority — that sought permission for a peaceable protest on the day of the match.
In accordance with Kosovo regulation, police can prohibit the holding of a public gathering if the aim of the occasion is to incite or name for the usage of violence, racial, nationwide, ethnic, or non secular hatred.
Police mentioned they may management potential crowds not solely close to the stadium, however all through the town, together with its squares.
Roads resulting in the stadium will probably be closed on match day as effectively.
Police introduced that ”any racist, xenophobic, political, non secular promotional materials will probably be banned.”
Fadil Vokrri Stadium, named after the native soccer legend, holds about 14,000 followers.
On November 11, each groups held separate information conferences and last apply periods.
Israel’s nationwide group mentioned it feels protected and comfy in Kosovo. Its supervisor, Alon Hazan, and captain, Eli Dasa, thanked Kosovo for the welcome.
In a Pristina information convention, Hazan described the match as a chance to make Israelis again residence joyful at a troublesome time.
”This isn’t a burden for us. We all know what we’re representing and we’ll do every thing we are able to to win this match and produce pleasure to our folks,” Hazan mentioned
”We really feel protected right here and we wish to admire every thing the federal government and all of the folks in Kosovo have given us with their hospitality,” Hazan mentioned as he known as on the folks of Kosovo and Israel to focus solely on soccer.
Dasa mentioned he feels ”snug” in Kosovo, including that ”we aren’t afraid — we’re folks of Israel and we’re right here to signify our nation.”
The captain of Kosovo’s nationwide group, Vedat Muriqi, mentioned that “we can not cease any whistles and protests.”
“On the sphere, we’ll attempt to play [soccer]. As for the followers off the sphere, everybody has their very own duty.”
Kosovo’s coach, Primoz Gliha, mentioned the Israel-Hamas battle mustn’t have an effect on this match and that for him, it’s not one thing extraordinary to play soccer in instances of battle.
“It does not have an effect on me. By no means, as a result of that is life. We had a battle in Yugoslavia, we performed in comparable situations. However soccer is soccer. I’m very unhappy about this [war],” mentioned Gliha, who performed as knowledgeable for Dinamo Zagreb when his homeland, Slovenia, gained independence from the previous Yugoslavia in 1991.