KOSOVO V ENGLAND 17TH NOVEMBER 2019 Injury Orinconveniencesufferedbyanyone but Canacceptnoresponsibilityforanyloss, All Theinformationprovidedinthisfanzine, Fans

ISSUE 170

KOSOVO V ENGLAND 17TH NOVEMBER 2019 injury orinconveniencesufferedbyanyone but canacceptnoresponsibilityforanyloss, all theinformationprovidedinthisfanzine, fans. We havetriedtoensuretheaccuracyof national membership-basedorganisationfor Football Supporters’ Association (FSA), the The Free Lionsfanzineisproducedbythe ME IT WASN’T Kosovo vEngland SR2 7DE Sunderland Stockton Road 1, Ashmore Terrace Free Lions, c/otheFSA Gifts &Postcards to: Email: [email protected] Contact Free Lions 112 Emergencies: +383 38254700 British Embassy: +44 7970146250 England Supporters Club(FA): +44 7956121314 Fans’ EmbassyHelpline: Useful Numbers England willprobably Kick–off 18:00, localtime Sunday, 17thNovember2019 Fadil Vokrri Stadium, Pristina play in WHITE play PRODUCES FREELIONS

FSF helpline: +447956 121314 Email: [email protected] Website: www.thefsa.org.uk

@WeAreFreeLions facebook.com/FreeLions A to havebeenreceivedfortickets ina Over 100,000applicationsaresaid is thebiggestgamethey’veeverhosted. huge demandfortickets locallyforwhat would be, butit’s alsoareflection ofthe late noticeofwhatthefinalallocation to seethegame, compoundedbythe disappointment formanywhowanted rules saywe’reentitledto. That’s a 5% ofsaleablecapacitythatUEFA for ushere, justovertheminimumof It’s arelativelysmallticket allocation in September. game astheoneinSouthampton – andhopefully, asentertaininga relax andenjoytheatmosphere the Euro 2020finalsandableto should seeusalready qualifiedfor plan backat Wembley lastweek, everything hasgoneaccording to incidentally –foragamewhich, if capital city–birthplaceofRitaOra, Cover image©PA Images. of, northeviewsexpressedin, thisfanzine. held inanyway responsibleforthecontents Consequently, noneofoursupporterscanbe Free Lionsimpactsonwhatweputinit. support wehavereceivedtoproduce relying onitscontents. Noneofthefinancial name, heappearstobeclaimingaregularplaceintheheartofmidfield. first timethreedayslateraway toMontenegro. Nowwithsixcapstohis March againsttheCzechRepublic, makingthestartingline-upfor pledged hisinternationalfuturetoEngland, andhewonhisfirstcapin and scoredhisfirstPremierLeaguegoalfor West Ham; in February, he 2019 hasbeenabigyearforDeclanRice. InJanuary, heturned20 COVER STORY this youthful and vibrant this youthfulandvibrant England’s first-ever visitto ND welcome to Pristina for welcome toPristinafor 7956 121314. contacted aroundtheclockon+44 and ifyouneedanyhelp, wecanbe It’s afreeandconfidentialservice, your trip. assistance youmightneedduring offer anyinformation, adviceand the FSA’s fans’embassyishereto As always atanEnglandaway game, do iftheroleswerereversed. exactly whatwe’d expectourFA to putting theirownfansfirst–it’s the Football Federation ofKosovo and sowecan’treallyarguewith ground thatholdslessthan13,000, Peter Daykin. Robertson, Tony Conniford; Paul Foley; and Hetherington, JoeHetherington; Harpreet and thanksareduetoPhilRowley; Clive This editionwas editedbyKevin Miles, As ever, thisfanzinehasbeenateameffort. THANK YOU our Fans’Embassyservice Association (FSA)aspartof the FootballSupporters’ produced anddistributedby ...the freeEnglandfanzine

PAGE 3 EXPECT A TEST AGREE OR DISAGREE WITH CLIVE HETHERINGTON? BY CLIVE HETHERINGTON CONTACT CLIVE VIA [email protected] 4 5

only one point – from their opening Fleetingly, Kosovo were Group A KOSOVO – THE KEY THREE by Joe Hetherington match in a 1-1 draw in Finland – leaders in the wake of that success PAGE PAGE and finished bottom of the group in before England were restored to their maiden qualifying campaign top spot after beating Bulgaria 4-0. for the World Cup in Russia. VALON BERISHA VEDAT MURIQI ARIJANET MURIC There were echoes of San Marino’s Having scored Currently On loan with But reaching the finals of next infamous goal against England twice against Kosovo’s top promotion summer’s UEFA extravaganza after only eight seconds in 1993, England in the first goal-scorer, Muriqi hopefuls remains a possibility. Even if when Kosovo caught Gareth encounter between is an old-fashioned Nottingham Forest they miss out on automatic Southgate’s side cold at St Mary’s. the nations, Berisha will target man who thrives and arguably one of the qualification, Kosovo have the be aiming to terrorise the Three on aerial deliveries into the box. The most promising young goalkeepers fall-back of a guaranteed play-off Centre-back Michael Keane’s Lions’ backline once again. At centre forward is into his fifth season playing in England. After a few shaky place after topping their Nations mistake after just 34 seconds let club level, the midfielder has been playing in Turkey, and he is now one performances, however, Muric has lost League group. in Valon Berisha to score the first struggling for game time at Lazio of the leading lights at Fenerbahce. his Forest place to Brice Samba and of his two goals on the night and and there have been rumours that The 25-year-old has been in fine form will see the game against England as F it is true that good things Qualifying began for Kosovo with Muriqi converted a penalty as he could soon be returning to his this calendar year for his country an opportunity to recapture his form. come in small packages, a 1-1 home draw with Bulgaria, Kosovo rallied from 5-1 down at former side, Red Bull Salzburg. He having already scored past Bulgaria, The 20-year-old featured regularly Ithen Kosovo’s fledgling Arber Zeneli equalising, followed the break to make it a contest. made 20 appearances for Norway Czech Republic, Montenegro and, of during Manchester City’s League Cup football side fit the bill. by the same result on a visit to before he opted to play for Kosovo course, England. Manchester United, triumph last season, though Ederson Montenegro where Milot Rashica But Kosovo had to settle for a 1-0 in 2016. Perhaps surprisingly, the Tottenham and Napoli have all been was chosen ahead of him in the final. Before England were made to sweat struck first. friendly win at home to minnows 26-year-old has scored just three accredited with an interest in signing Born in Switzerland, the towering for their thrilling 5-3 Euro 2020 Gibraltar, Florent Hasani scoring in senior goals for the two countries, him in the past few months. Like keeper is a former Montenegrin qualifying victory over Kosovo at Then came an impressive 3-2 victory the 68th minute, then beat visiting his only other strike coming against many in the Kosovo team, Muriqi Under-21 international and made his Southampton in September, the in Bulgaria, with Rashica again Montenegro 2-0 with goals by Finland on his debut for Kosovo. represented Albania at youth level. debut for Kosovo in 2018. Balkan country had strung together a netting the opener and Vedat Muriqi Amir Rrahmani and Muriqi, before remarkable 15-match unbeaten run scoring as Kosovo came from 2-1 travelling to the Czech Republic stretching back almost two years. down to win with a stoppage-time ahead of England’s arrival. By repute, Vokrri – who died in England found out all about it Kosovo’s Sheffield Wednesday effort by Elba Rashani. June last year at the age of 57 – in one of the most entertaining striker Atdhe Nuhiu, an unused That sequence was achieved after And here at the Fadil Vokrri was Kosovo’s finest player and encounters the Three Lions have substitute against England, they had come from behind to Kosovo demonstrated their resilience Stadium, named after the man it was he who became president featured in for some time. admitted to disappointment that beat Euro ’96 finalists the Czech once more in the defeat of the Czechs, regarded as the founding father of of their football federation the the match was not at Wembley. Republic 2-1 here in Pristina. with Muriqi levelling and Mergim Kosovo’s national side, England can day before the country declared Southgate admitted: “It was a bizarre Vojvoda grabbing the winner. expect a test. political independence from Serbia. game really. There were poor errors He said: “Obviously, when you play Yet it was as recently as September for goals, but I was really pleased England you think of Wembley. 2016 that Kosovo, with a population Kosovo still bears the scars of the with the composure we showed to CLIVE’S VERDICT Kosovo 2, England 3 of around only 1.8 million, played war in the region more than 20 come back from the early mistake. “I have been there once with their first competitive match after years ago, but football has played a Sheffield Wednesday, so it would they had waited eight years to be This is England’s first visit to Pristina, The Three Lions’ 5-3 win in the part in the healing process. “There was some devastating have been great for the others to recognised by UEFA and FIFA as a but if their maiden encounter with first meeting, when Kosovo won attacking play throughout. I thought have experienced it. nation in their own right. Kosovo at Southampton’s St Mary’s the second half of the game 2-0, There is no lack of pride and our forwards were a huge threat Stadium in September is anything showed that our hosts are not afraid fervour, both on and off the pitch, and we used the ball generally “But they are still young players, Kosovo’s entrance into competition to go by, it could prove a challenge. to attack, even if it means being with demonstrative Swiss-born really well. The outstanding parts so maybe they can achieve that. was far from auspicious as they Goals are virtually guaranteed. vulnerable at the back. coach Bernard Challandes the of our play were obvious – and the Wembley is being used in the Euro failed to win a game, picked up embodiment of Kosovo’s spirit. errors were obvious.” 2020 finals – so maybe then!”

Website: www.thefsa.org.uk Receive urgent info: Email: [email protected] Sign up to Free Lions’ FREE SMS text service FSF helpline: +44 7956 121314 PRODUCES FREE LIONS Text “UPDATES” to +44 7956 121314 PRODUCES FREE LIONS @WeAreFreeLions facebook.com/FreeLions SCOUSE PHIL’S FREE LIONS ANSWERS ON PAGE WELCOME TO PRISTINA YOUR FREE LIONS GUIDE 6 KOSOVO MUSIC QUIZ 13 7

T is said that Kosovo takes its ELCOME to Pristina, name from the Serbian words capital of Kosovo PAGE PAGE IKosovo Polje, meaning ‘field of Wand venue for the blackbirds’, so in celebration of this final game in our Euro 2020 fact, Scouse Phil has provided us qualifying campaign. with a music quiz in which every question, or answer, features the There is a lot that is unusual about name of a bird. this particular occasion. Kosovo Question 2: Question 5: is one of the youngest footballing Taylor Swift Marion Cotillard nations England have ever played; it was only three years ago that the Football Federation of Kosovo was ‘Hotel California’ was a ‘Albatross’ was the only whose first name is also the name admitted into membership of UEFA 1 famous hit for which American 4 Number One by which famous of a common garden bird? and FIFA and allowed to compete rock band? UK band who had countless other internationally in their own right. hits including, ‘Go Your Own Way’, Kid Creole and the Coconuts Taylor Swift was named after ‘Rhiannon’ and ‘Tusk’? 8 had a 1982 Top Ten hit with And the chances are that the people 2 which American singer which song, the title of which of Pristina will offer us possibly The war was fought over 15 months an act that gave rise to a strong songwriter and guitarist, inducted Which French singer, portrayed means ‘a police informer’, or the warmest welcome we’ve ever in 1998-99 between the country’s sense of gratitude and support into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 5 by Marion Cotillard in the film ‘someone acting as a decoy’? received as a nation playing abroad. Serbian government and an from the Kosovans towards the UK in 2000? ‘La Vie en Rose’, was known by the Albanian resistance, and ended only and its people. nickname ‘The Little Sparrow’? Which female American singer, There is a huge reservoir of after a decisive NATO intervention Featuring Norman Cook, better 9 born in Missouri in 1962, has affection for the UK among the on the side of the Albanians. That support was reflected in a 3 known as Fatboy Slim, on Which Liverpool band had a had UK hits including ‘All I Wanna Kosovan people which dates back sudden surge in the number of bass, which band had Top Three 6 Top Ten hit in the 80s with the Do’ and ‘If It Makes You Happy’? over twenty years to the brutal The then UK prime minister Kosovan children being named hits in 1986 with ‘Happy Hour’ and song ‘Wishing (If I Had a Kosovan war, in which more than Tony Blair played a key role in ‘Tonibler’ and is likely to be further ‘Caravan of Love’? Photograph of You)’? ‘Take time for your 13,000 lives were lost and which persuading his NATO allies to send expressed in a warm welcome to 10 pleasure and laugh with left thousands more displaced. troops onto the ground in Kosovo, England fans here for the game. ‘Blurred Lines’ was a massive love’, are the first lines of which 7 2013 hit for which singer, 1982 Number Two hit by Madness? TICKET COLLECTION

NCE again it’s 100% The ticket collection Tickets will be available for FSA FANS’ EMBASSY collection for ESTC point in Pristina is in the collection between 16:00 members here in Pristina, Sirius Hotel on Agim and 18:00 on Saturday, Subject to securing official permission O REGULAR feature of all which means that every Ramadani in the city 16th November, and England away games for from the mayor of Pristina, the individual must collect their own centre (pictured). The between 12:00 and 17:00 the last twenty years or fans’ embassy will be based in the ticket in person. Remember to ticket collection point on match day, Sunday A so, the Football Supporters’ pedestrianised area at the end of take up-to-date photo ID with is accessed by a door 17th November. Association’s fans’ embassy Boulevard Mother Teresa, beside you, and it will speed up the down the left-hand side of the hotel service will be on hand in the Grand Hotel Pristina (pictured). (Sunday 17th November) from process if you can remember on Tringe Smajli. Please note that as the collection Pristina to offer any advice, 10:00 through to about 15:00. We the name of the member who point is close to the stadium (it’s information and assistance that We will be operating on the will of course be contactable around purchased the tickets for your The hotel is within easily maybe a 15-minute walk at most), you might need to make your afternoon of Saturday 16th the clock via the helpline on +44 group, to help the FA staff locate manageable walking distance from there will be no further ticket trip go smoothly. November, and then on match day 7956 121314. yours more easily. the stadium. collection facility at the stadium.

Untitled layer

Mother Teresa Boulevard

Stadium

FA Ticket Collection

FSA Fans’ Embassy PAGE 10 PRODUCES FREELIONS 12 capsfor Yugoslavia. goals scored whilewinning his appearances togowithsix more total of121goalsin363club France and Turkey, scoringa and subsequentlyplayingin joining Partizan Belgrade F F YOUR PRISTINA WELCOME TO the groundhosteditsfirstofficial 2018, andinSeptemberlastyear contributed toitsrefurbishmentin FC Pristinasince1953. UEFA in 1951andhasbeenhometo The stadiumwas originallybuilt Federation ofKosovo. then President oftheFootball death oftheformerplayerand 9th June 2018tomarkthe the Fadil VokrriStadium 2020 qualifierwas renamed the early1980sbefore seasons forFCPristinain ADIL venue forourfinalEuro Pristina CityStadium, the ORMERLY knownasthe FADIL VOKRRI THE STADIUM FREE LIONSGUIDE Vokrri playedforfour on UEFA andthenFIFA. admitted intomembershipoffirst was notuntilMay2016thatwas application was rejected, andit for membershipofFIFA, butthat One ofhisfirstacts was toapply the Football Federation ofKosovo. Vokrri was electedaspresidentof independence fromSerbiain2008, When Kosovo declaredits 198 CCTVcameras. with atotalof22turnstiles–and ground nowboastsfourgates Since itsredevelopment, the in thesouth-eastcorner. allocated 752tickets insectorJ1 and theEnglishFA havebeen our gameisrecordedas12,684, covered stand. The capacityfor around thepitch, andonlyone The stadiumhasanathleticstrack against theFaroe Islands. League DGroup3match international match, aNations Text “UPDATES” to +447956121314 Sign upto Free Lions’FREESMS textservice Receive urgentinfo: T are reasonablypriced. further afield, thentaxis inthecity city centre. Ifyou’recomingfrom of themanywatering holesinthe afternoon beforethegameinone especially ifyou’respendingthe On footistheway to doit, Hotel Sirius the ticket collectionpointatthe about tenminutes’walkfrom Mother TeresaBoulevard, and walk from thepedestrianised Hashim Thaci. day ofmourningbythePresident, occasion designatedanational was givenastatefuneral, withthe honour; thefollowingday Vokrri Pristina renamedthestadiuminhis Later thatsamedaythemayorof heart attackanddiedsuddenly. On 9thJune2018, Vokrri suffereda of thecity, justfiveminutes’ located rightinthecentre HE GETTING THERE Fadil Vokrri Stadiumis . PRODUCES FREELIONS hang theirflagsmightbepossible, the groundforpeoplewanting to in principlethatearlyaccessto will beadmitted. Itwas agreed Flags upto2mx1.5minsize items deemedimpermissible. facilities forthestorageofany mentioned –andtherewillbeno piece ofpaperorsmallerhasbeen restriction ofbagsthesizean A4 be allowedin–thenewstandard England band. Onlysmall bagswill exception hasbeenmadeforthe feature onthatlist, butsadlyan umbrellas. Musicalinstrumentsalso knives, butalsonobottles, cansor will apply, sothat’s nogunsor The usuallistofprohibiteditems come tomissthestart. arriving late, andit’s alongway to be relaxedintheeventofpeople that thesearchregimewillnot advised; wehavebeenwarned so arrivingwellbeforekick-offis searches willofcoursetake time, just beforetheturnstiles. The accompanied byuniformedpolice then afullbodysearchbystewards on theway totheground, and There willbeavisualticket check due tobelocated. to accessblockJ1where we’re south-east corneroftheground should enterviathegateat earlier, at16:00. Englandfans K gates willopentwohours 18:00 localtimeandthe ICK-OFF isscheduledfor GROUND RULES FSF helpline: +447956 121314 Email: [email protected] Website: www.thefsa.org.uk @WeAreFreeLions facebook.com/FreeLions police untiltheendofgame. be ejected, andpossiblyheldby give risetoanyproblems, theywill should theirpresenceintheground automatically beturnedaway, but sectors ofthestadiumwillnot possession ofaticket for ‘home’ illegal inKosovo. Englandfansin Black market tradingintickets is consider dressingaccordingly. uncovered; youmightwant to that theEnglandsectorisentirely confirm arrangements. Beaware contacting thefans’embassyto to press, soitmightbeworth at thetimethatFree Lionswent but nodetailshadbeenfinalised allowed outtogether. be dispensedwithandwe’llall then itislikely thattheholdbackwill friendly aseveryonehaspredicted, match hasbeenaspositiveand in English. Iftheatmospherepre- will bemadeovertheloudspeakers and ifthathappens, announcements game foramaximumof20minutes, fans tobeheldbackattheendofa Normal practicehereisforvisiting Smoking isnotpermitted. very drunkfanswillnotbeallowedin. hand, wehavealsobeenwarned that priced too, ataround€ ground (and, webelieve, reasonably There willbealcoholonsaleinthe 2); ontheother

PAGE 11 PAGE 12 PRODUCES FREELIONS sure whyyou’d needto). are inthebars, we’renotquite when pricesareascheapthey in public, onthestreets(although • Itispermittedtodrinkalcohol will normallydo. passport’s personaldetails page or evenaphotocopyofyour required, butadrivinglicence technically yourpassportis photo IDwithyouinPristina; • Itisalegalrequirementtocarry A YOUR PRISTINA WELCOME TO Newborn Monument. Teresa Cathedral andbesidethe airport, pickingupattheMother between thecitycentreand now anewhourlybusservice are evencheaper, andthereis before yourjourneystarts. Buses Make surethatthemeterison pretty cheap. worth notingthatthetaxisare are outsidethecitycentre, it’s number ofthenewesthotels to getround onfoot, butasa Pristina iseasyenough now, thecitycentre of S mentionedafewtimes TIPS GETTING AROUND FREE LIONSGUIDE T has tobeseenbelieved. The an award-winning buildingthat Just acrossfromthecathedralis of theBillClintonStatue. Clinton Boulevard inthedirection views overthecityanddownBill bell tower, whichoffersgreat you canaccessthetopof inaugurated in2010, and for€1, is arelativelynewbuilding, The Mother Teresa Cathedral no bookingisrequired. (next totheSwissDiamondhotel), from outsidetheNationalTheatre city. Tours departeverydayat11:00 for anyonewhowants toseethe Free Walking Tour on foot, whichmakes thePristina to allowmostthingsbevisited The citycentreiscompactenough mixture ofstyles. and thearchitecture isacurious Text “UPDATES” to +447956121314 Sign upto Free Lions’FREESMS textservice Receive urgentinfo: destinations inPristina, of obvioussightseeing HERE isn’tanabundance THINGS TOSEEANDDO a great option a greatoption NinthUgliestBuildinginthe World, 2009 War from1998-1999. women rapedduringtheKosovan the estimated20,000Kosovan of 20,000medalstocommemorate the letters spellingoutNewborn), and Monument worth checkingout: theNewborn are acoupleofothermonuments Apart fromtheClintonStatue, there have beenanuglymonstrosity. Even initsprimethough, itmuststill derelict now, althoughit’s stillinuse. as itlooksabitrundownandsemi- ground; it’s clearlyseenbetterdays (left) stakes isthePristinaSportsHall Running itcloseintheugliness national costume. the hatsoftraditional Albanian 99 whitedomessaidtorepresent the worldin2009, despiteboasting named theninthugliestbuildingin that theaward itwonwas forbeing that soundsgreat, untilyoulearn National Library ofKosovo. Now Heroines Monument, madeout which overlooks the football which overlooksthefootball

(basically big concrete (basically bigconcrete Quiz PRODUCES FREELIONS P This areaisalsowithineasy cafes, barsandrestaurants. either sideofit, areanumberof along it, andinthestreetsoff Mother TeresaBoulevard, and pedestrianised streetcalled In thecentreoftownisalong ‘best coffeeintheworld’. boast thattheircapitalhasthe a vibrantcaféculture: Kosovans has ayouthfulpopulationand you’ll evercomeacross, butit It maynotbetheprettiestcity late 1990s. the televisionscreens inthe war-torn scenesthatdominated different from theharrowing the citycentre seemsvery Answers destination, andalready develop asatourist RISTINA isstartingto EATING &DRINKING 10. 9. Cheryl Crow 10. The 3. The Housemartins FSF helpline: +447956 121314 Email: [email protected] Website: www.thefsa.org.uk @WeAreFreeLions facebook.com/FreeLions find anytraceofit; there aretwo restaurant inKosovo, wecouldn’t planning toopentheirfirst year agothatMcDonald’s were Despite anannouncementa by ex-patslivinghere. 51 Fehmi Agani down, butTheBeergarden Pub at Paddy O’Brien’s havingclosed thriving IrishpubinPristina, with to learnthatwefailedfinda be eitherdevastated ordelighted Regular readersofFree Lionswill is theMIQTTaverna. collection point. Worth avisithere and closeenoughtotheticket walking distanceoftheground, 8. ‘Stool Pigeon’ (Page 6) (Page James Taylor Eagles 2. The Taylor James Music Quiz 4. Fleetwood Mac 5. Edith Piaf 6. Flock of Seagulls 7. Robin Thicke ‘Wings of a Dove’ 1. is recommended

Station at4/AFazli Grajqevci. Bajraktari 21, andSomaBook recommend LiburniaatMeto available though; wecan Kosovan and Albanian food There’s plentyoftraditional one beingattheAlbiMall. outside thecitycentre, thenearest branches ofKFC, butthey’re HeroinesMonument Tim 9. Hearts 10. Tim Flowers Hillsborough, Old Trafford, Villa Park and Park Villa Trafford, Old 8. Hillsborough, Football Quiz (Page 16) Quiz (Page Football 1. Dynamo Dresden 2. Qatar 3. Brighton (Seagulls), Newcastle (Magpies) and (Eagles), Crystal Palace Cherries) Norwich (Canaries) 4. Bournemouth (The 7. 5. One – Harry Kane v Bulgaria 6. Oxford United Kosovo Wembley

PAGE 13 CUT OUT THE CANCER OF RACISM AGREE OR DISAGREE WITH CLIVE HETHERINGTON? BY CLIVE HETHERINGTON CONTACT CLIVE VIA [email protected] 14 15

international teammate Borislav visit, and kicked them out of the being the first major country Mihaylov, had been forced to next Nations League and Euro to threaten to walk off PAGE PAGE resign and the union’s offices 2024, too. and having the game raided by police. stopped twice. Nothing of what occurred in Sofia Bulgaria were charged by UEFA came as a surprise to former “I think they probably – for what it was worth – and Watford and England striker Luther should have (walked Balakov himself eventually fell Blissett, who spoke from personal off). Once the second on his sword. Arrests of terrace experience of hostility in Bulgaria. half started, the moment culprits were made, but it was like it flared up again with a few closing the stable door after the And he maintained that the people – a lot of people say it was “We were banned from Europe horse had bolted. Bulgarians should be banned only one or two, but it doesn’t for a long time and we learned from competing against foreign matter, racism is racism, abuse is a lot from that. We also fell back UEFA’s supposed punishment was opposition at both international abuse – we probably should have from where we at the time as to order that Bulgaria’s home and club level. walked off the pitch. That’s when a footballing country, so I think qualifier with the Czech Republic football pales into insignificance. that sort of sanction needs to be be played behind closed doors – Blissett said: “Back at the end of brought in.’’ with the threat of a further stadium the 70s, early 80s, when I played “The governing bodies have a HE methodical dignity of game was halted again in line with ban suspended for two years – and for England Under-21s in Bulgaria, responsibility to all of us to do Former Sunderland captain Gary Gareth Southgate and his the protocol. A hard-core group of a paltry fine of around £65,000 I remember lining up in the tunnel something about it. A couple of Bennett, a patron and ambassador for TEngland players achieved fascists, who made monkey chants for “the racist behaviour of its before we walked out and I was seasons ago, you had FIFA saying anti-racism educational charity ‘Show more than one victory on their and Nazi salutes, then made their supporters and the throwing of opposite one of their centre-halves racism is no longer a problem and Racism the Red Card’, also suffered tempestuous trip to Bulgaria. way out of the stadium. Talk about objects’’. Typically toothless. and another defender, and they yet this continues happening. racist abuse during his career. a walk of shame – not that they were calling you these names all In implementing the first two stages would know. But even the English FA didn’t get off, the time. “We’ve already had Bulgaria having He said: “What are we doing about of UEFA’s three-step protocol to with a £4,314 fine for fans booing to play the game against England racism in terms of punishment? combat racism, England proved it is Play resumed after England Bulgaria’s national anthem, as home “You don’t want to react because in front of a half-empty stadium Whether it’s the FA, the Premier possible to beat the bigots as well decided to see it through to half- supporters did ours which resulted in you’re representing your country because of previous incidents. League, UEFA, FIFA or whoever, as the opposition on the pitch. time – and ultimately, they stuck it an £8,629 hit for the hosts. and I wouldn’t want to do anything they need to do more. out to the bitter end despite further that would disgrace playing for “I really don’t understand how The Three Lions’ 6-0 Euro 2020 racism in the second half. At that The bottom line is that the England. So you put your head anyone can say they didn’t hear “It’s every day now in football. qualifying romp came about in point, there was a strong case for Bulgarian authorities were down and focus on the game. it and they weren’t expecting it. What’s going to happen if somebody testing circumstances, but the the third step to be enforced and completely complacent about the This country (Bulgaria) needs to be ends up getting attacked? If protocol was used to telling effect. the match abandoned. likelihood of racism on England’s “But it shouldn’t have to be that way. completely banned from playing somebody is racially abused and visit, even though a section of the If you had that at work, it would be international football, and I’m retaliates, they’re in the wrong. When the game was stopped by Yet Bulgaria coach Krasimir Balakov Vasil Levski Stadium was closed dealt with straightaway. Footballers talking about at club level as well Something is going to happen – then Croatian referee Ivan Bebek in the seemed to be in denial when he because of similar incidents in go out on the pitch and they’re at as international level. fingers will be pointed.’’ 26th minute, the stadium’s public initially insisted he hadn’t heard the games with the Czechs and Kosovo. work and they shouldn’t have to put address warned that if the racist calls abuse from the mindless element. up with that sort of nonsense. “You go back to what happened We can only hope it doesn’t come did not cease, the match would be UEFA should have been much with England’s club sides being to that. But will the custodians of “suspended or may be abandoned’’. In the aftermath of it all, he tougher and expelled Bulgaria from “That’s why the strongest possible banned from playing in Europe football ever have the courage to issued an apology, but by then any further involvement in Euro measures should be taken. I think after the Heysel incident. It made a impose the draconian measures Two minutes before half-time, the president of the Bulgaria 2020 (they could still qualify via England have now made a real significant difference and we made required to cut out the cancer of after the warning was ignored, the Football Union, Balakov’s former the play-offs) following the Czechs’ statement with what they did, a lot of changes. racism from the sport?

RINT deadlines once again mean we’ve had to use squad members from previous games, but that doesn’t stop the fun: Pwhile away some time by finding the surnames of the Kosovo squad from their October games hidden in the Wordsearch grid. Samir UJKANI Torino Arijanet MURIC Nottingham Forest Visar BEKAJ Prishtina N U F C B E R I S H A R O B J Amir RRAHMANI Hellas Verona N A G E E K X M L E E L C L K Mërgim VOJVODA Standard Liège Leart PAGARADA Sandhausen J A K H S A R U J K A N I R A Fidan ALITI Kalmar Q A D T O O N R A R M Y V T N Florent HADERGJONAJ Huddersfield Town Ibrahim DRESEVIC Heerenveen J I K A F I Q I R U M H E Z I A N D V R U K C L A L A S E L Milot RASHICA Werder Bremen Valon BERISHA Lazio N A V O C A A B L Y T H E L L Bersant CELINA Swansea City O H O R Y W G L R T A A R D O Herolind SHALA Vålerenga Bernard BERISHA Akhmat Grozny J S C G C U N A A E N S D D L Edon ZHEGROVA Basel G A L E I C E S P H R A T A O Benjamin KOLOLLI Zürich Idriz VOCA Luzern R R A H M A N I S E S N N W K Anel RASHKAJ AFC Eskilstuna E P U Z T E B M U S L I J A M Florent HASANI Diósgyori Florent MUSLIJA Hannover 96 D N R A S H I C A P L U R H C A D O V J O V Q B E R I S E A Vedat MURIQI Fenerbahçe Atdhe NUHIU Sheff Wed H S H E A R E R C M A X S M B Elba RASHANI Odd

SCOUSE PHIL’S FREE LIONS FOOTBALL QUIZ

Which German Bundesliga 2 How many hat-tricks have At the end of October, ex- 1 side, famed for its away support, 5 been scored by England players 9 Scotland boss Craig Levein was recently took a remarkable 30,000 so far in qualifying for Euro 2020? sacked as manager of which club? fans to a second-round Bundesliga Cup game at Hertha Berlin? The Kassam Stadium is the I was born in Kenilworth, 6 home ground of which club, 10 Warwickshire in 1967 and Liverpool are due to play in currently enjoying a good run in played for various clubs including 2 the World Club Championship the Carabao Cup? Wolves, Southampton, Blackburn in December, but where is this and Leicester, winning 11 England being held? KF Feronikeli are current caps in the 1990s. Who am I? 7 league champions in which Which four Premier League European country? 3 teams have a nickname featuring a bird? Which four grounds were used ANSWERS 8 at both the 1966 World Cup ON PAGE …and which Premier League and Euro 96? 4 team’s nickname is a fruit? 13