There was tension in the pre-match news conference ahead of Kosovo’s World Cup qualifier against Spain, after the Kosovo communications team manager demanded a journalist from Spain to address his question directly with the words “Kosovo coach” to Bernard Challandes.
The build-up to the World Cup qualifier had been overshadowed by a diplomatic row, with some sections of the Spanish media joining the country’s government in referring to Kosovo as a “territory” rather than an independent state.
Most western powers recognise Kosovo’s statehood but Serbia, China and Russia do not – and neither does Spain or Greece, who are opponents for Kosovo on the soccer pitch ahead of qualification for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Spain and Greece, along with Slovakia, Romania and Cyprus, are the five member states of the European Union who have been urged to recognise Kosovo by the European Parliament.
0:00 SOUNDBITE (English): Bajram Shala, Kosovo communications manager:
“Now the next question.”
Reporter: Hola, buenos dias (in English – Hello, good morning). Hello. I do not know how you see Spain after two difficult matches. Do you think that Luis Enrique (Spain head coach) is going to change many things for this match against Kosovo?
“So the question is directed to who?”
Reporter: For the coach.
“Coach of?”
Bernard Challandes (Kosovo head coach): What is the question?
“Coach of? Because we have not seen the name of our national team, never, in your (Spanish) media. So it should be clear to the coach of which team is this question directed to?”
Reporter: The question is for the coach. I would like to know if Luis Enrique (Spain head coach) is going to change many things for the match for tomorrow (Wednesday against Kosovo)?
“Yeah, but the coach of which team because we have never seen the name of our national team, never, on the reports of your newspaper.”
Reporter: The question is for the coach.
“Of which team?”
Reporter: Ah, of Kosovo sorry.
“Ah OK, good. He (Bernard Challandes) will answer now.”
SOURCE: Klan Kosova
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46 Comments
Live Long Catalonia😍
Catalonia is Spain – Kosovo is Serbia 🇷🇸🇪🇸
KOSOVO IS SERBIA THANK U SPAIN 🇷🇸❤️🍻🇪🇦
This is childish. Kosovo, whether they like it or not, is a de facto independent nation.
KOSOVO IS SERBIA!!!
he made him say it lol
This is the fault of UEFA that vroke its own rule for accepting Kosovo…. unbelivale bi one investigates this…. rules are clear
the reporter clearly said at the begining "kosovo" but its ridiculous how forcible and how desperate they are trying to be recognized. absolute maniacs.. if they could, they would even start the war in spain.. btw, thanks spain, for destroying the fake state 🤟 ☦️ 🇷🇸
Ignore the shiptars, Spain. You guys actually have your own opinion, instead of just following what criminals say. Don't let the losers who got rocked 3-1 tell you that you are fools. Great job, brothers!
🇪🇸 🇷🇸 🇪🇸 🇷🇸 🇪🇸 🇷🇸 🇪🇸 🇷🇸 🇪🇸 🇷🇸 🇪🇸
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 Funny 😂😂
Kosovo is Serbia!🇷🇸❤️
Catalonia is Spain!🇪🇸❤️
😂😂😂Funny 😂 😂 😂
Would you imagine.
Of what team?
Of the team of the Serbian province of Kosovo and Metohija.
It was just a joke.
Kosovo😘😘😘🇦🇱🇽🇰
Kush ishte ky qe tha per cilen skuader??
I LUMTE😘😘
Kosovo is 🚽
Kosovo is Serbia
Bravo for young Kosovo team and their leadership… you guys have a full right to be treated with respect and dignity… 👍
Samo naprijed i sa svakom odigranom utakmicom ( pobijedili ili izgubili ) vi promovirate svoju drzavu ….
Brravooooo….Kosovo is Albaniaaa….fuck spain is serbichi
Spain have a difficult time recognizing smaller countries because they have been big colonizers in the past. Karma is a bitch tho
ωραίος ο Κοσοβάρος! Κόσοβο<3
The guy was trying to make a point well done to him!🇦🇱🇽🇰🇬🇧🇺🇸!
Kosovo is not state not recognized by UN it will never be.
It is stolen land with help from Nato Kosovo is Serbia.
Viva Kosova 🇽🇰Viva Catalonia 🌟🌟
spain defeated a city from serbia who called kosovo , greetings from beautiful greece
Kosovo is Albanian , best wishes from Bulgaria. 🇧🇬🇽🇰
Kosovo is Serbia and i can argue whole day with Albanians its not my problem
Serbs dont wanna lose Kosovo because of gold and other mines. It is just interest. Support for Kosovo and Albania from anywhere in the world!
Long Live Republic of Kosovo 🇽🇰♥
Jetë të gjatë republikës së pavarur të Kosovës
Dhe suksese skuadrës Kosovare
Shqipëtarët anembanë jemi një,
kemi lindur të lirë (Ilir) dhe nuk do të jemi kurrë skllevër (slavi, schiavi)
spain is a hypocrite country, they recognize a front in Algeria called Polisarion but they don't give the freedom for Catalonia
Ka me turpnu spanjen ata far qena ata lahpera ata majmuna kosova ka me mujt spanjen 8 2 ata majmuna qe ata te poshter jan spanja
There are countries like Greece for example that don't recognize Kosovo but they show some RESPECT and they don't mix football with politics. Spain took it in an different level. They are so afraid of Catalonia and they act stupid af.
Kosovo has right to became a country same as Moskow. That's right. Zero. Kosovo is south pokraina of Serbia
They do everthink by force anyway 😂😂😂
Kosovo is Serbia from Spain 😎💪
🇷🇸🇷🇸🇷🇸🇷🇸
Spain v who?????
Based Spain
Catalonia is a Republik from Kosova 🇽🇰
Whether this man recognises Kosovo’s independence or not doesn’t really matter. The serbian government hasn’t had any power over Kosovo since 1999 and so its automatically an independent country 🇽🇰
Kosovo is Serbia.
spanija
WE STAND WITH KOSOVO ALL THE WAY!!!!!
If Spain recognise, then The World will Recognise Catilona as an Independent Sovereign Country. Be Mindful.
Respect the Territorial Integrity of Serbia so that other countries get the Same Treatment. (For Example – Spain, UK, Ukraine, India)