The Albanian Football Association has sent an official letter to the Serbian Football Association, expressing its deep concern regarding the incident that occurred on April 6 in Bosilegrad, during the fifth division league match in Serbia between KF Tërnoci and Mladost.
According to footage published in the media and a statement from KF Tërnoci itself, at the end of the match, Serbian police forces entered the pitch and physically assaulted player Veton Zeqiri, while other team members were subjected to insults and threats. Subsequently, the police raided the locker rooms, inspecting the players’ personal belongings.
In the letter addressed to the SFA, the Albanian Football Association emphasizes that this incident raises serious concerns about the conditions under which teams and players participate in football activities. It also highlights that such situations can negatively impact the spirit of fair play and mutual respect.
“We express our concern regarding a recent incident involving the KF Tërnoci team during a match held on April 6 in the Presevo Valley. According to several media reports and publicly released video footage, at the end of the match, police forces entered the field, used physical force against at least one player — Mr. Veton Zeqiri — and then proceeded to carry out searches in the team’s locker room, inspecting even the players’ personal belongings.
This incident has caused considerable concern and raises serious questions about the conditions under which teams and players participate in football activities. Such situations not only endanger the well-being of those involved but can also undermine the spirit of fair play and mutual respect — essential elements of our sport, especially in light of our joint preparations for UEFA Euro U21 2027,”- reads the letter from the Albanian Football Association, which also calls for the facts to be clarified and for appropriate steps to be taken to ensure that all players and teams are treated with fairness and dignity.
“In this context, we address you with understanding and respect to request that the Football Association of Serbia carefully review this matter, assist in clarifying the facts, and, where necessary, take appropriate steps to ensure that all players and teams — without exception — are treated with fairness, dignity, and in accordance with the principles that our sport represents.”
The Albanian Football Association will closely follow the developments to come and remains committed to protecting the rights and dignity of all actors in Albanian football, both within and beyond the country’s borders.
