KOSOVO: Displaced footballers around Europe
Adnan Januzaj is another example of the displaced Kosovan nationals who are across Europe since the breakup of the former Yugoslavia. Kosovo is an independent state bordering Albania and within the former Yugoslavia but is not recognised by Serbia. The national team has been formally recognised by FIFA and allowed to play friendlies. But UEFA, bowing to pressure from Russia and Serbia, has so far refused recognition. Kosovo’s international isolation has forced many of its best footballers to seek international recognition elsewhere, notably Albania and Switzerland, where many Kosovan refugees were granted sanctuary during the civil war. Xherdan Shaqiri, Granit Xhaka and Valon Behrami, were all born in Kosovo but are now representing Switzerland, while Lorik Cana, who was born in Albania of Kosovan heritage, now captains Albania. The Kosovan FA would like to see FIFA allow a one-off nationality switch if they are accepted into FIFA....