Kosovo to join UEFA only after recognition in UN: Platini

UEFA president Michel Platini said on Tuesday that Kosovo could not join the organisation until it was recognised by the United Nations.

“The situation is very simple, UEFA, FIFA do not go in for politics… the only thing UEFA can do at the present is to respect the statutes of UEFA and the statutes clearly say that to be affiliated with UEFA it is necessary to be recognised by the United Nations,” Platini told reporters in Belgrade.

Kosovo, which unilaterally declared independence from Serbia a year ago, has been recognised by more than 50 countries, including the United States and most of the European Union countries.

However, Serbia and its traditional ally Russia, a permanent member of UN Security Council, have rejected the move and consider it illegal.

During his visit to Belgrade Platini met Serbian Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Ivica Dacic to discuss the fight against hooliganism at stadia.

“We discussed what measures should be taken to fight against hooligans, racism and xenophobia,” Platini said.