Romania surrenders, green light given for the development of matches with Kosovo in “qualifications 2024”

The Romanian Football Federation (FRF) has received the government's approval for the Romanian representative to play matches with Kosovo, valid for European Championship qualifications “Europa 2024”.

On October 9th, lots were withdrawn for the qualifying phase groups for “ (2024x1>, which will be held in Germany, the Express newspaper writes.

The Kosovo National Group I was cast along with Switzerland, Israel, Romania, Belarus and Andorra.

After the lots, Romania began making noise and was required that its representative not play against “Dardians”.

Theodor Melescanu, Romania's former foreign minister, had asked the FRF to refuse to play against Kosovo, even if it is then decided that the matches will be registered with an official score of 3:0.

However, news that Romania can be excluded from FIFA and UEFA if it does not play against Kosovo, appears to have softened Romanians.

The Football Federation, led by Razvan Burleanu, demanded the country's authorities' opinion on the issue, taking into account that Romania does not recognise the state of Kosovo.

In response to Romanian medium “GSP”, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has clarified that participating in competitions of athletes or teams from Romania, along with those of Kosovo, as well as organising sports events in Romania, with the participation of representatives of respective sports federations, does not mean and cannot have the effect of Romania's recognition of Kosovo citizenship, the Express broadcasts.

Thus, according to the media in question, the Romanian Football Federation has received the green light to organise the match against Kosovo, but on a condition from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which “does not interfere in this state's stance regarding Kosovo status”.

Romania still praises Kosovo as a province and does not recognise its citizenship.

However, this country is expected to be better announced with Kosovo next year, when they will hold two matches between themselves within these qualifications.

The first match is the first to take place on June 16th, with Kosovo being a host.

Meanwhile, on 12 September, Kosovo will be Romania's guest.