Albanian drug trafficker pleads not be extradited as son has chance of Premier League career
Elis Lila's son is 'on the cusp' of getting a scholarship from a Premier League club
Elis Lila's two sons play for Watford FC and are currently in the Championship.
MailOnline has reported that his eldest son is 'on the cusp' of receiving a football scholarship at a Premier League club, however both boys have 'good prospects' of becoming pro footballers.
The 40-year-old spent six years involved in a drug smuggling gang in the Italian town of Pesaro, before he fled to Albania in 2012.
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News in 90 Seconds - June 25th
That year he was sentenced to 11 years behind bars in Italy for drug smuggling and facilitating prostitution, but he didn't serve any of his sentence as he went to Albania before moving to the UK with his wife in 2016.
The self-employed tiler, was given leave to remain in the UK for two and a half years.
He has spent the last four years fighting deportation to Italy after judge at Westminster Magistrates' Court ordered that he should be extradited as he has five outstanding European Arrest Warrants.
Lila challenged the ruling, and at a second extradition hearing in 2024, it was ruled once again that he should be extradited to Italy.
He appealed the decision once again, and a hearing was held at the High Court in March.
In the judge's ruling, Mr Justice Mould once again said he should be extradited, ruling that his wife would find a way to manage supporting their sons as they continued to play football in the UK.
His report states that the family have been living a 'stable life' since moving to the UK.
'He has built a business in the UK which enables him financially to support his family
'He and his wife organise their lives so as to provide the practical day-to-day support needed to enable his eldest children to build on their footballing skills and develop their potential as future professional football players.
'There is a very real risk that, if extradited to Italy, after serving his remaining sentence the appellant will not be permitted to return to live in the UK.
'The eldest sons' prospects as potential professional footballers and the practical problems that would result from the appellant's absence was in evidence before the District Judges and formed part of the overall evaluation of proportionality.'
The judge found that his wife, Mrs Lila, would be able to manage getting her children to football training while her husband was in prison in Italy.
'There is likely to be real hardship and the impact on family life will be considerable.
'Nevertheless, I am satisfied that the District Judges were correct to give weight to the proven resilience and resourcefulness of Mrs Lila, and the likelihood that she would be able to cope with the loss of the appellant.
'That was a factor which lessened the severity of the impact of extradition in this case,' he added.
The judge said that there would be 'emotional distress' and 'financial hardship' following his extradition.
'I have no doubt that this was exceptionally difficult for the Appellant's wife and children but it demonstrates the strength of character of his wife and her amazing resilience and determination as a person and as a mother.
'For these three years, when she was no doubt at her most vulnerable, his wife built a life in the UK for her and her children, with no financial help from the Appellant and when he was in Albania and therefore, emotional support would be somewhat limited. Read more
'I accept that it will be difficult emotionally for her should he be extradited but the strength of character and resilience she has shown, will no doubt mean that she will cope,' he continued.
He added that Mrs Lila will find a way to manage taking the children to football, school, and other activities.
'I have no doubt that the Academy will offer what support they can to the family.
'If she closes the business, then I still find that she will continue to ensure that their son is able to attend the Academy.'
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