Terrorism police deployed amid violence fears for World Cup qualifier
Tensions are high in Tirana as Albania host Serbia in England's 2026 World Cup qualifying group almost 11 years on from infamous abandonment because of drone carrying flag
An estimated 2,000 police officers including an anti terrorism unit are bracing for trouble ahead of Albania and Serbia's World Cup qualifier in Tirana on Saturday night - after their most recent meeting in 2014 was abandoned because of an infamous drone row.
The teams are facing off in Group K, the same pool as England, with visiting fans banned from attending the 22,500-capacity Arena Kombetare.
But tensions will remain high throughout the weekend after the Serbia squad were escorted to their hotel by armed officers from the RENEA anti-terrorism unit.
When the Balkan rivals met for a first time in October 2014, Serbia fans were heard chanting 'Kill the Albanian' before a drone carrying the flag of Great Albania flew over the Partizan stadium in Belgrade with the match still scoreless.
It was dragged down by Serbia player Stefan Mitrovic, who was then subsequently surrounded by angry Albania players. From there ugly scenes erupted in the stands, leading to the game being abandoned.
Months later the Court of Arbitration for Sport awarded Albania a 3-0 win. Serbia won the reverse fixture but it was held in a high-security bubble and passed off without major incident - despite rioting on the streets beforehand.
Now they have been paired together with tonight's game coming under heavy scrutiny - especially since UEFA have awarded the nations joint hosting rights for the 2027 Under-21 Euros because they feel that can help build a relationship between the fierce rivals.
And Armand Duka, president of the Albanian Football Federation, called on his compatriots to see the match as a sports event 'where the team gets support and positive energy from the fans to achieve the goal.'
'We want to give the message: let's live it as a sport festivity,' Duka told reporters, adding that Serbia supporters being banned "will contribute to a quieter environment.'
He added: 'Players do not bear the burden of history or of the political tensions. They compete on the pitch to win, to give the best for the jersey they represent and, above all, to build the bridge of respect through the game.'
Elseid Hysaj, the only member of Albania's present squad who was in the 2014 team, struck a peaceful note too, saying: 'We should be calm and be conscious that we are football players. We are here to please the fans and give our best for the victory.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
17 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
England U21s retain Euros crown despite throwing away two-goal lead vs Germany
Jonathan Rowe stooped to conquer after coming off the bench as Lee Carsley's Young Lions roared to retain their European Under-21 title. Rowe, the 22-year-old former Norwich striker who now leads Marseille's attack, ducked into Tyler Morton's perfectly-delivered cross to score with his first touch as England's youngsters dug deep to defeat the old enemy in Bratislava. England looked to be cruising to victory when Harvey Elliott and Omari Hutchinson put them 2-0 ahead inside 25 blistering minutes. They then had to call on their huge reserves of character when Germany hit back with two spectacular strikes by Nelson Weiper and Paul Nebel. Now Carsley has emulated the achievement of Dave Sexton, who won back-to-back Euros with the Under-21s in 1982 and 1984. England boss Thomas Tuchel was there to see the drama after flying in from the Club World Cup in the United States to watch the nation he has adopted overcome his countrymen. Germany knocked out Italy and France on their way to the final. In the group stages they beat England 2-1 despite resting a raft of players. Antonio Di Salvo's youngsters were unbeaten for 20 matches in a run that stretched back two years. And in attack they had Nick Woltemade, the 23-year-old who has just scored 17 Bundesliga goals to help Stuttgart qualify for the Champions League to prompt Bayern Munich to pay £43million for his services. Woltemade scored six goals during Germany's march and will go home with the Golden Boot as well as a runners-up medal. England should have been out of sight by half-time. They were so superior that the Germans must have been tempted to ask UEFA to check English birth certificates as Carsley's lads made it look like men against boys. England were ahead in the fifth minute. Hutchinson should have scored, but fired too closely to Germany keeper Noah Atubolu. But when the loose ball landed at the feet of Elliott the Liverpool winger took a touch before ramming his fifth goal of the tournament into the bottom corner with his left foot. Captain James McAtee flashed a fierce shot across past the far post and looked on in disbelief moments later when he picked out Jay Stansfield at the far post with the goal gaping only for the Birmingham striker to misread his pass. But England did get the second goal they had been threatening in the 24th minute when McAtee's pass invited Hutchinson to lash his shot through the legs of Atubolu. Hutchinson might have scored again after another sweeping move had cut Germany to ribbons but his drive was deflected wide. And only a smart save from Atubolu prevented McAtee from scoring when he met Hutchinson's low cross with a first-time finish. England were so superior that the Germans might have been thinking about asking UEFA to check their birth certificates because it looked like men against boys. Then the influential Alex Scott was forced off with a knee injury after being wiped out by Germany captain Eric Martel. Substitute Tyler Morton was still trying to get up to pace when he lost Weiper as Nebel whipped over a cross from the right and the German forward found the top corner with a powerful header that flicked off the fingertips of England keeper James Beadle. The goal had a galvanising effect on the Germans. McAtee was inches away from restoring England's two-goal advantage after a dazzling 40-yard run. But then Nebel was given too much space on the hour when England failed to clear a corner and he found the top corner with a lovely curled finish. Yet back came England and substitute Brooke Norton-Cuffy might have won it but scuffed a decent chance too close to Atubolu. They had a huge let-off in the fourth minute of injury-time when Nebel's snap shot deflected off Norton-Cuffy and slapped the crossbar. Germany substitute Merlin Rohl thought he had conjured up some magic in the dying seconds but his shot crashed off the crossbar. But it was Carsley who sent on Ethan Nwaneri and Rowe for extra-time - and 90 seconds later came the decisive moment.
South Wales Guardian
21 minutes ago
- South Wales Guardian
Cristiano Ronaldo saw a bigger picture when he rejected Club World Cup offers
Following Al Nassr's final league game of the season last month, Ronaldo had posted on social media 'the chapter is over', which fuelled speculation the five-time Ballon d'Or winner was to leave the Saudi Pro League club. The 40-year-old revealed teams had 'reached out' over taking part in the Club World Cup in the United States, but he decided instead to extend his stay with Al Nassr, where his old contract was set to expire at the end of June. Cristiano Ronaldo speaks about AlNassr, Saudi Arabia, his life and ambitions. Watch the Full Exclusive Interview — AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) June 28, 2025 'I had some offers to play (Club) World Cup, but I think it didn't make sense because I prefer to have a good rest, a good preparation, because this season will be very long, because this is the season of the World Cup at the end,' Ronaldo told Al Nassr TV. 'I want to be ready not only for Al Nassr, but also for the national team, so this is why I decide to play the last game for the Nations League and not listen to nothing (about the offers) and of course to be in this club, which I love.' Al Nassr finished third in the Saudi Pro League last season after being knocked out of the Kings Cup and AFC Champions League, which saw the club part company with Italian manager Stefano Pioli. A new chapter begins. Same passion, same dream. Let's make history together. 🟡🔵 — Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) June 26, 2025 Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus is reportedly to set to take over, and Al Nassr captain Ronaldo – who was leading scorer with 35 goals last season – feels the club can go on to challenge for top honours. 'I want to stay because I believe in the project, not (just) the next two years, but until 2034 which is the goal and will be the World Cup in Saudi Arabia, which I believe will be the most beautiful one ever,' said Ronaldo, who joined Al Nassr in December 2022 as a free agent after leaving Manchester United. 'So I am happy – two years more, I want to fight with the best teams in Saudi to win the league. I believe and let's see in the end of the day who is better. 'We know that what we did last season is not enough, but it is already past. We have to focus now in the present and the present is good.'
South Wales Guardian
21 minutes ago
- South Wales Guardian
Club World Cup is the worst idea ever implemented in football
The new-look 32-team tournament started earlier this month, with the final taking place at the MetLife Stadium in New York on July 13. The Premier League resumes a month later, with Liverpool kicking off their title defence in the opening game of the season against Bournemouth on August 15. 16 teams remain. The road to #FIFACWC glory is set. 🛣️🏆 — FIFA Club World Cup (@FIFACWC) June 27, 2025 Klopp has previously spoken about issues such as fixture congestion and in an interview with German newspaper Welt am Sonntag, he suggested the Club World Cup will not provide any 'real recovery' for those players involved. 'It's all about the game and not the surrounding events – and that's why the Club World Cup is the worst idea ever implemented in football in this regard,' Klopp said. 'People who have never had or do not have anything to do with day-to-day business any more are coming up with something. 'There is insane money for participating, but it's also not for every club. 'Last year it was the Copa (America) and the European Championship, this year it's the Club World Cup, and next year the World Cup. That means no real recovery for the players involved, neither physically nor mentally.' After leaving his role as Reds boss last summer, Klopp became Red Bull's head of global soccer at the start of 2025. He added: 'I have serious fears that players will suffer injuries they've never had before next season. If not next season, then it will happen at the World Cup or afterwards. 'We constantly expect the players to go into every game as if it were their last. We tell them that 70 or 75 times a year. But it can't go on like this. 'We have to make sure they have breaks, because if they don't get them, they won't be able to deliver top performances – and if they can't achieve that any more, the entire product loses value.'
