FIFA moves Kosovo closer to full membership

[Universals]

I think FIFA is wading into murky waters with a move like this one. However, this status is much less consequential than a full FIFA membership.

Kosovo took a huge step towards FIFA membership on Tuesday when world soccer's governing body said its 208 member countries could start playing friendly internationals against teams from the Balkan province.
FIFA and UEFA, European soccer's governing body, had previously blocked Kosovo's attempts to play internationals because it was not recognised by the United Nations.

"All the other countries that were in the Balkan organisation, Slovenia , Croatia, Bosnia,Serbia, Montenegro and Macedonia, all became independent and play within FIFA and UEFA, and the last one left is Kosovo," Blatter said.
"Kosovo has organised football, so I think it is a logical gesture and solidarity and this decision by the FIFA executive committee will accelerate the movement towards membership."

More here.

[BogT]

Real murky! What about Transnistria, Abkhazia or South Ossetia? Do they have the same position regarding those places?

"All the other countries that were in the Balkan organisation, Slovenia , Croatia, Bosnia,Serbia, Montenegro and Macedonia, all became independent and play within FIFA and UEFA, and the last one left is Kosovo," Blatter said."Kosovo has organised football, so I think it is a logical gesture and solidarity and this decision by the FIFA executive committee will accelerate the movement towards membership."

All the other counties he mentioned were recognized first by UN.

P.S. First, their position on the UK Poppy and now this... I start to dislike FIFA even more.

[Ordie]

Real murky! What about Transnistria, Abkhazia or South Ossetia? Do they have the same position regarding those places.

If FIFA recognizes Scotland, England, Wales, and N.Ireland as separate entities, why not Transnistria, Abkhazia and South Ossetia?

Seems fair.

[kalerab]

If FIFA recognizes Scotland, England, Wales, and N.Ireland as separate entities, why not Transnistria, Abkhazia and South Ossetia?

Seems fair.

They do not recognize them as separate state entities, but as independent football associations. The precedent was already, however, done with Palestinian and Taiwanese national football teams, so it´s quite murky. Happens when politics crosses with sports.

[Ordie]

Happens when politics crosses with sports.

Politics in sports?

I'm shocked...shocked!

[Radu2]

Thats something really stupid from FIFA. I mean, how they can believe that Spain, the world champions now, will play an official game against Kosovo, which Spain doesnt recognize? Or how will play Serbia vs Kosovo, which will be impossible with spectators in the stadium, this if Serbians will agree to play in the first place, which i doubt it.

[Universals]

Thats something really stupid from FIFA. I mean, how they can believe that Spain, the world champions now, will play an official game against Kosovo, which Spain doesnt recognize? Or how will play Serbia vs Kosovo, which will be impossible with spectators in the stadium, this if Serbians will agree to play in the first place, which i doubt it.

Yea, sh!t will hit the fan if they get full membership. As yet, they are only able to play friendlies with country who want to.

[Gentius]

Thank you Blatter, haters gona hate.

[Violet Fashion by Mindy]

If FIFA recognizes Scotland, England, Wales, and N.Ireland as separate entities, why not Transnistria, Abkhazia and South Ossetia?

Seems fair.

Because England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales make up half of the IFAB board. FIFA the other half. Put simply, despite what Blatter has to say about it if the English FA tell FIFA to jump they jump.

[Redox]

Thats something really stupid from FIFA. I mean, how they can believe that Spain, the world champions now, will play an official game against Kosovo, which Spain doesnt recognize? Or how will play Serbia vs Kosovo, which will be impossible with spectators in the stadium, this if Serbians will agree to play in the first place, which i doubt it.

Spain does not recognise Wales either afaik, yet they play against them.
People should relax and not get up in arms over everything. And being defensive like Spain is over these separatist issues makes you look weak and vulnerable.

[zero11]

Serbian media is talking about the suspension of the decision.
http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics...5&nav_id=80440


In other news, one that actually matters, Serbia is playing a "friendly" with world and european champions tonight.