Albanian Football Federation head election turmoil could result in sanctions, UEFA warns
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- Accusations of corruption and life threats mar election process at Albanian Football Federation.
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TIRANA, Jan 26 – The upcoming election of the head of the Albanian Football Federation has led to turmoil with accusations of undue political interference and corruption, threats and even an explosion at the home of the incumbent president.
In response, UEFA sent a letter warning of “political interference in the running of the Albanian federation,” and raised “its concerns regarding the safe staging of the 2022 UEFA Europa Conference League final in Tirana in light of the recent events.” The match is scheduled for May 25, and would be a first of its kind in Albania.
The explosion hit the door of AFA President Armand Duka’s home in Durres on Monday night, shaking up his family but causing no injuries, Duka told the media. Police said Wednesday they had arrested a suspect.
Duka also told local media he had received death threats urging him to withdraw from the race, where he is seeking a sixth four-year mandate.
The explosion came as most Albanian media were focusing on leaked tapes showing Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj of the ruling Socialist Party using threats, profanities and slurs when speaking to board members of the regional Tirana football association ahead of a vote for the head of the national federation.
A spokesman for Veliaj told local media that the tape is real, but that it should be heard in context, attributing the foul language to “locker room talk.”
Veliaj, who as mayor is a shareholder in Tirana FC, accuses Duka of corruption and has filed criminal charges with prosecutors ahead of the vote. On the leaked tapes, Veliaj says the football federation is “the last island” the ruling party has not yet captured.
Duka, 60, has been president since 2002 and is running for re-election on March 2.
His brother, Agron Duka, an MP and leader of a small opposition political party, told local media tax authorities had also made visits to companies the family owns, unannounced, as a way to exert pressure on the federation head.
It is not the first time that Duka runs into strong pressure and competition to give up his post. Four years ago, a respected Socialist MP and former prime minister, Bashkim Fino, unsuccessfully ran for the post. The Democratic Party of former Prime Minister Sali Berisha also sought to remove Duka, but it withdrew after UEFA and FIFA threats of sanctions if autonomy of football governance was not respected.
