an hour agoHimni and the name of Kosovo banned on Spanish state television tonight in Spain-Kosovo match
Periskopi(5 years ago)
(5 years ago)Public Television of Spain, TVE, will stop broadcasting at the moment when the Kosovo state anthem is sung in Seville prior to the B qualifying Group meeting for the World Cup between Spain and Kosovo. Moreover, Spanish state television commentators are forbidden to mention the word Kosovo during the match's comment, [...]
Moreover, Spanish state television commentators are forbidden to mention the word Kosovo during the match's comment, according to Spanish media.
Spain and Kosovo will face tonight at 20:45, at the third district of the B qualifying Group for the Qatar World Cup at stadium “La Cartuja” in Seville.
This match will be broadcast by TVE as public television but with apparent restrictions, such as the nontransmission of the Kosovo state anthem and the avoidance of Kosovo when addressing the national team of Kosovo.
All because the government of Spain does not recognise the independence of the state of Kosovo.
According to the Spanish daily, MARCA, TVE commentators will address the Kosovo team as “
Today's match is the focus of diplomatic controversy between Kosovo and Spain.
Spain is one of three nationals in the dardan group, along with Greece and Georgia, who recognise Kosovo's independence. Moreover, the Iberian country is a vocal opponent of independence that the newest European state, mainly because of Catalonia, its northeast region, which had unanimously voted in a referendum in 2017 to be independent of Spain.
The controversy began when Spain's Football Federation called territory Kosovo, and Spanish media claimed Spain would not accept Kosovo's state anthem playing in the stadium before the match, nor did its flag wave during the match.
The Kosovo Football Federation reacted by threatening it would not play unless its state symbols are respected. After a conversation between leaders of both federations and U EFA, Spain was forced to accept the match under U's rules FIFA EFA.
But besides Spanish media that often in their writings even did not write the name Kosovo, the Spanish federation has done its best to avoid the most mention of Kosovo in its reports, especially at the press conference the day before the match.
She has turned to Kosovo as Kosovo “ekip”, while red fury coach Luis Enrique has addressed Kosovo only as “representative”.
The aim of the Spanish federation and the media in Madrid to ward off the name of Kosovo has been apparent.
FFK President Agim Ademi on Tuesday warned Spain that he would withdraw the dardan team from the field in Seville if Kosovo's state symbols are not respected Wednesday evening.
