World Cup hit by 'disgraceful' scandal over dressing room photo

Kosovo’s Sports Minister has called on FIFA to take action over a controversial photo from inside the Serbian team's dressing room at the World Cup. The photo emerged on social media after Serbia's 2-0 loss to Brazil in Qatar and shows the Serbian flag with a map of Kosovo superimposed on top.

The map was stamped with the words “there will be no surrender”. The version of the flag is a reference to Kosovo declaring independence from Serbia in 2008, which Belgrade refuses to recognise.

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Kosovo’s Sports Minister tweeted: “Disgraceful images from Serbia locker room, displaying hateful, xenophobic and genocidal messages towards Kosova, while exploiting FIFA World Cup platform. We expect concrete actions from FIFA considering that (Kosovo) is a full FIFA and UEFA member."

The Kosovo Football Federation (FFK) has since announced that it has filed a complaint with FIFA against “Serbia’s aggressive action”. The FFK said in a press release: “Such a chauvinist act has no place at sporting events and even less inside establishments where the biggest world football event is taking place.

“It is unacceptable that this act is passed over in silence and we insistently demand that FIFA strictly apply its rules and punish the Serbian Football Federation for this aggressive act contrary to the values that football transmits."

Commentator Dario Brentin tweeted: "Considering FIFA punished Xhaka & Shaqiri for their 'Albanian Eagle' (political connotation), I can't see how the Serbian FA can avoid punishment for 'No Surrender' flag in their changing room prior. Kosovo is a fully accepted member of FIFA."

Kosovo's 2008 declaration of independence is recognised by about 110 countries but not by Serbia, Russia, China and five EU member states. Both Serbia and Kosovo aim to join the EU but the bloc has told them they must first solve their disagreements. NATO has 3700 peacekeepers on the ground to maintain the peace.

Kosova and Serbia striving for peace

Kosovo's Prime Minister Albin Kurti told parliament this week he expects Kosovo and Serbia to reach a final deal to normalise relations before spring 2023. It came a day after the European Union brokered a deal to end a car licence plate dispute.

The nearly two-year-old dispute over replacing old plates issued by Serbia goes to the heart of divisions between Kosovans and ethnic Serbs living in the country's north who consider themselves part of Serbia. European countries have warned it could escalate into violence.

Following Wednesday's accord, Kurti said talks for a deal with Serbia would start within days under European Union mediation and supported by the United States. The licensing deal, Kurti said, had established both parties would "negotiate and agree on an EU proposal, supported by France and Germany, in order to reach the (final) deal as soon as possible".

"This means before spring of 2023. It can be earlier but it cannot be later than that," he said.

About 50,000 ethnic Serbs who live in the northern part of Kosovo refuse to recognise Pristina officials' authority. Another 50,000 scattered across Kosovo maintain close relations with Serbia but accept Kosovo's institutions and daily life.

Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic said there was no time for celebrations, although peace had been maintained. "This is a small victory that will lead us into a more difficult situation," he told a news conference in Belgrade. "I know difficult times are ahead of us. I am happy that we managed to preserve peace for our people."

with AAP

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