Will Macedonia play Kosovo without fans? FFM spokesman speaking

Many sports events have already been cancelled, and some Federation have made the decision that the respective championship matches will be played by closed doors, while in Italy, the country reportedly affected mostly by this Virus, the Serie A football championship has been suspended until April 3rd.

The very controversial match between Kosovo and Macedonia is said to be played without fans, but such has not confirmed even the spokesman for the Macedonian Football Federation, Faton Zylbehari, who in an interview for Kosova Preress, said that this Federation does not decide on such a decision, only that it respects recommendations provided by the responsible authority and so far nothing has been decided.

There was nothing to say at this moment except to confirm that the Macedonian Football Federation on two occasions had to bring a decision that football matches in the First League and the Second to be played without public presence, as such was recommended by the government of the country as preventative measures for the absence of corruption. It means the FFM doesn't decide on such things, but only respects the suggestion of higher and responsible institutions in the state. Unfortunately, the virus is spreading and the situation is becoming alarming throughout Europe. It remains to be seen what developments will be like in the coming days and recommendations coming from responsible authority”, he initially stated.

As for preparations, Zylbehari said everything is going in the best way, adding that this match will be under strict security measures.

Macedonia's “Football Forum has long ago started preparations for confronting Kosovo, which is a historic match for the two countries. Of course, the potential for qualifications in Euro 2020 is a very big chance, but parallel to the challenge of the outcome, we as an organising country also carry the pressure for the best organization of this confrontation, which is really specific for many reasons. The two Federations have now joined in the best organisation of this match, and everything is reported at UEFA that through its commissions follows the whole process. Until now, everything goes according to plan, and I think this game should be a real show where I wish in a good atmosphere and sports, if you could just put it on a show on the ground”, Zylbehari concluded.

The match between Macedonia and Kosovo takes place on March 26th in Skopje, while Kosova Prees learns that the young nationals will gather on 23 March in Pristina.