PRISTINA — Kosovar police stated 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 stated they’d proceed to enhance 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 crew because the warfare between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, which has been declared a terrorist group by the USA 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 army motion within the Gaza Strip that has led to greater than 11,000 deaths, in line 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.
Based on Kosovo legislation, police can prohibit the holding of a public gathering if the aim of the occasion is to incite or name for using violence, racial, nationwide, ethnic, or non secular hatred.
Police stated they’ll management attainable 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 remaining apply periods.
Israel’s nationwide crew stated it feels secure 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 possibility to make Israelis again dwelling completely satisfied at a troublesome time.
”This isn’t a burden for us. We all know what we’re representing and we are going to do every little thing we will to win this match and produce pleasure to our folks,” Hazan stated
”We really feel secure right here and we wish to respect every little thing the federal government and all of the folks in Kosovo have given us with their hospitality,” Hazan stated as he referred to as on the folks of Kosovo and Israel to focus solely on soccer.
Dasa stated he feels ”comfy” in Kosovo, including that ”we’re not afraid — we’re folks of Israel and we’re right here to signify our nation.”
The captain of Kosovo’s nationwide crew, Vedat Muriqi, stated that “we can not cease any whistles and protests.”
“On the sector, we are going to attempt to play [soccer]. As for the followers off the sector, everybody has their very own duty.”
Kosovo’s coach, Primoz Gliha, stated the Israel-Hamas warfare mustn’t have an effect on this match and that for him, it’s not one thing extraordinary to play soccer in instances of warfare.
“It does not have an effect on me. By no means, as a result of that is life. We had a warfare in Yugoslavia, we performed in related situations. However soccer is soccer. I’m very unhappy about this [war],” stated Gliha, who performed as an expert for Dinamo Zagreb when his homeland, Slovenia, gained independence from the previous Yugoslavia in 1991.