PRISTINA: Fadil Vokkri, president of Kosovo’s federation, has accused northern neighbour Serbia of waging a propaganda war against them over Kosovar football.

The former Serbian province declared independence in 2008 and was finally successful last week in persuading FIFA to allow their teams to play friendly matches with teams from member associations of the world governing body.

However the Serb federation immediately objected. A meeting is scheduled in Zurich tomorrow to set the rules for the games – though the Serbs hope to use it to persuade FIFA to reverse its decision. Last Friday FIFA president Sepp Blatter insisted that the decision was irreversible.

Michel Platini, Serb-supporting president of UEFA, had described the decision by the executive committee of FIFA as “political.”

Vokkri made his comments in an interview with Balkan Insight. He said: “FIFA’s decision stands and by the end of June we will discuss the modalities on how to implement that decision.”

Kosovo does not qualify to apply for membership of FIFA or the European federation UEFA because the state is not yet a member of the United Nations, a basic tenet for an application.

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