Vuletic: UEFA's decision on Serbia and Albania's candidacy for the European Football Championship will be political

Vladimir Vuletić
Source: Kosovo Online

Sociologist Vladimir Vuletic stated that the decision of the UEFA Executive Committee on December 16 regarding the host of the 2027 European Under-21 Football Championship will be a political one. It will depend on an assessment of whether there can be progress in resolving Serbian-Albanian relations concerning Kosovo in the foreseeable future.

"Decisions like this, especially when it comes to volatile regions, are always primarily political. When it's about a sports-related decision, the first question is whether the candidates are capable of organizing such an event. Serbia, for instance, has significant capacities for this. The stadiums that have already been built, as well as the National Stadium expected to be completed by then, provide the necessary infrastructure, which is a prerequisite. That's the sports aspect. But as for the political aspect, no one wants a major tournament to be marred by potential political provocations. So, this comes down to an assessment of whether there will be progress toward resolving Serbian-Albanian relations in the region. If there is political will, then organizing such events could undoubtedly be an additional incentive and significantly accelerate that process. It would also influence the public perception of those relations," Vuletic stated for Kosovo Online.

According to Vuletic, if by 2027 the Kosovo issue moves toward a positive resolution, the European Championship could solidify those agreements.

"If there is some sort of compromise agreement, or at least a path toward it, then organizing such an event would undoubtedly crown a political resolution and help cement those agreements for both Serbs and Albanians," Vuletic said.

He emphasized that a compromise solution for Kosovo, along with hosting such a major sporting event, could greatly contribute to stabilization and foster emotional reconciliation among people in the region, particularly between Serbs and Albanians.

"It would demonstrate economically and politically that this region has the strength to look forward. The stability of the region largely depends on these two key groups—Serbs and Albanians. This would serve as a significant stimulus for the stabilization of the entire region, not just for Serbs and Albanians," Vuletic stressed.

However, he cautioned that sports have the potential both to calm and inflame nationalist tensions.

"Sport can achieve both—it can calm tensions, but it can also escalate nationalist fervor. Remember that sports events have often been the stage for various provocations, even between Albania and Serbia, which have served as tests for political relations. But when we talk about this joint effort by the two countries to compete for hosting a major tournament, it would undoubtedly strengthen cooperation economically and politically and send a positive signal to most people," Vuletic noted.

Still, he warned that much will depend on developments concerning Kosovo.

"This issue may not be a direct problem between Albania and Serbia, but the risk lies in potential provocations by either Albanians or Serbs. That risk cannot be entirely ruled out. It is hard to imagine an event of this scale taking place without the Kosovo issue coming up in some way," Vuletic concluded.