FIFA Initiates Disciplinary Proceedings Against Serbia for Provoking Kosovo

Flag displaying part of Kosovo territory as Serbia hung in locker room

Serbia, which displayed a politically charged flag in the locker room before the group stage match of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, is expected to face disciplinary action. According to the British BBC on the 27th, FIFA plans to hold a disciplinary committee meeting soon to address the issue. Earlier, the Kosovo Football Federation obtained related photos and officially protested to FIFA. The problematic flag depicted Kosovo territory as part of Serbia. It also included the phrase "(We) cannot give up (our territory)." It has not been confirmed whether this was done by the Serbian government or football association, or if it was an impulsive act by some players.

Kosovo declared independence in 2008 with approval from Europe, the United States, and others, overcoming the pain of a civil war that claimed thousands of lives. Serbia does not recognize this and considers it part of its own territory. The two countries, which have a strained relationship, recently saw their underlying conflict escalate. Since early this month, Kosovo has required ethnic Serb residents within its borders to replace Serbian-issued vehicle license plates with Kosovo-issued ones. From the 22nd, after a three-week grace period, drivers refusing to comply were fined. The conflict was resolved on the 24th through mediation by the European Union (EU). However, historical tensions do not seem to be easing easily.

Serbia strongly opposed FIFA's disciplinary warning. Ivica Da?i?, Serbia's Foreign Minister, said in an interview with a domestic broadcaster, "As a nation, we cannot respond to a sports organization. This incident shows how hypocritical FIFA is." He added, "FIFA's approval means nothing. FIFA includes members of regional character," and pointed out, "The United Nations has not recognized Kosovo as a country." Kosovo became a member of FIFA and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) in 2016. Considering the tense relations between the two countries, FIFA has adjusted the World Cup regional qualifiers in advance to prevent them from facing each other.