Full member Kosovo’s flag barred from Cup stadiums
MOSCOW: After years of trying and failing, Kosovo’s football association finally got what it wanted two years ago when Fifa granted it full membership, welcoming it into a club of more than 200 national federations.
But while its team would have been welcome inside stadiums here, Kosovo’s flag apparently is not. The flag — which depicts a gold map of Kosovo under six white stars on a blue background — is one of more than two dozen barred from World Cup stadiums by tournament organisers.
It is listed on a seven-page document, alongside flags representing Taiwan and pre-revolutionary Iran and also a variety of separatist movements. Ever since fighting a war of independence against Serbia in the late 1990s, Kosovo has existed in a political and cultural limbo. Despite being recognised by a majority of UN and European Union member states since declaring its independence in 2008, Kosovo has yet to win official recognition.
Russia, an ally of Serbia, has threatened to veto any such move at the UN Security Council.Russia also had opposed Kosovo’s efforts to be recognised by Fifa.
WE’RE ‘BLESSED’ TO WATCH MBAPPE: KAKA
LONDON:Former Brazil star Kaka hailed Kylian Mbappe for his maturity and said fans were “blessed” to see the France teenager at the World Cup.
“I think the best thing we can say about him is his speed, and how quickly he can run,” Kaka told Omnisport. “Of course he’s not just running because he has very good control when he is running. “And he is also just 19 years old, but he sometimes seems like he is 35 years old – very mature, controls the game, (makes) good choices. “I think he’s got a very, very good future and to see a 19-year old player playing and performing like he is performing at this World Cup – we are blessed to see something like that.”
ROONEY APPLAUDS SOUTHGATE’S TEAM
WASHINGTON: Former England captain Wayne Rooney has praised Gareth Southgate’s young team for delivering hope to the nation’s long-suffering fans. “I think it was a great tournament for all the players, for Gareth Southgate, and a great tournament for England as a country, and for the fans,” Rooney said.