“Happy if Rama and Vucic will meet”

In an interview for Top Channel, he criticized Belgrade about the language that was used against Tirana, and underlined that the parties should see within themselves about what they should change.

Top Channel: The hottest debate in the country right now is the interrupted match between Albania and Serbia. What is your opinion about what happened?

Knut Fleckenstein: Oh God! I only saw the footage without audio and didn’t understand a single word. What I saw was the loud shouting of the Serbian fans. I saw firecrackers. I learned later that the Albanian fans had not been allowed to be in the stadium, so, it was only the Serbian side. I saw this drone with a flag; maybe it was provocative, and it was of Greater Albania. This wasn’t sportive and honest. Now it depends on why the game was interrupted. If it was because of the fireworks, then Albania needs three points. If it is not the case, it will remain to be seen by the end of the month. Than the game needs to be repeated. We will see what the UEFA has to say. If the match will be repeated in Belgrade, they must show that they can organize it better. If it will be played in Tirana, I hope that people will not look for a revenge but will be happy to see a beautiful football match.

Top Channel: The Albanian symbols were not allwed in the stadium, even though Albania is not Germany after World War II or Serbia after 1999. Do you consider this behavior professional?

Knut Fleckenstein: I can only say that what I saw on the screen wasn’t professional. It is part of these events for fans to hold the colors of their team. This should have been allowed. If you cannot organize this at your home, with normal conditions as everywhere in Europe, then we should think that this is not the right place or the right country to be part of such a championship. I haven’t seen what they did outside the stadium, but I didn’t see many police officers inside the stadium.

Top Channel: After the match there was an escalation of the violence against businesses of the Albanian minority. The Serbian Media referred to the European Union and blamed Albania, they even blamed the Prime Minister’s brother, who, different from his Serbian counterpart, keeps saying that he will visit Belgrade. How do you think this will affect the planned visit?

Knut Fleckenstein: I would be very happy if Prime Minister Rama would go to Belgrade, as planned, if Mr.Vucic and Mr.Rama would agree on a civilized way and would not accuse each other, as the government of Belgrade did. They should see within themselves for what should be done different.

Top Channel: Should Rama apologize, since Mr.Vucic asked it?

Knut Fleckenstein: To be fair, I don’t understand this request, because this is not a state issue. This is not a matter og governments. This is a matter that is related to a special situation with people in a football stadium. If someone would have to apologize, this would require careful treatment from all parts, because fireworks and shouts are not suitable to a fair play environment, which wasn’t at all. I am sure about this because I saw it on the screen. The flag of Greater Albania was also a provocation for Belgrade, as we all saw. This is up to individuals to take responsibility for what they have done, but this is not a matter of countries. This is just a football match that went very bad.

Prepared by: ARTA TOZAJ

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