Kosovo joins FIFA after emotional congress vote

Nine years ago, Kosovo became the two hundred and tenth member of FIFA. The FFK received one hundred and forty-one votes for membership, out of one hundred and sixty-four valid votes, at the FIFA Congress held in Mexico City, CE Report quotes Kosova Press.

After breaking the twenty-five-year isolation, with UEFA membership, the mission of the Football Federation of Kosovo was completed on May 13th, when Kosovo was accepted by majority vote as a member of FIFA. A journey full of sacrifices that nevertheless opened a new page in the history of Kosovo football.

At the FIFA Congress, before the vote on the membership of the Football Federation of Kosovo, the attendees were addressed by FIFA Council member Senesh Erzik, who emphasized that Kosovo had met all the criteria to be part of FIFA.

Then a speech was also given by the then chairman of the FFK, the late Fadil Vokrri, who explained to the delegates that football in Kosovo has a great history and reminded them that Kosovo had already been accepted by the International Olympic Committee and by many federations other international sports.

At the end of his speech, Vokrri said that football is for everyone and everyone should be for football, demanding that Kosovo receive the votes of those present for membership in FIFA.

After Vokrri, the delegates were addressed by the vice president of the Football Federation of Serbia, who opposed Kosovo's membership, but after the end of his speech, FIFA president Gianni Ifantino emphasized that the Congress is the supreme body that decides on the Kosovo issue and requested that it be switched to electronic voting, where Kosovo received the necessary votes.

In his speech before the Congress, after the reception, Vokrri thanked the FIFA president, the vice-presidents and all members of the FIFA Council.

"This is a very important date for us, as today we are part of FIFA. Everyone in Kosovo is happy with this decision of the FIFA Congress. We have been waiting for this decision for a long time and we are very happy. I promise you that we will protect the values ​​of football", declared Vokrri, who symbolically received the FIFA emblem as a gift from President Infantino.