TIRANA, Sept. 24 – Security and football officials in Albania say they are working hard to guarantee a safe event as Albania prepares to host Serbia in the Euro 2016 Group I qualifier football match, scheduled for Oct. 8 in Elbasan.
The preparations have involved the Albanian Football Federation, or FSHF, police and the secret service, according to local media. They are closely cooperating together to take care of the security during the match.
Some local media has reported that police has gone as far as suggesting that all apartments surrounding the stadium in Elbasan be evacuated during the match.
Football authorities have continuously appealed to fans to be on their best behavior for the Oct. 8 match against Serbia, after a match between the two sides last year was marred by violence and interrupted by a drone carrying a nationalist Albanian banner.
It was announced that match tickets would be sold online. But many fans complained they could not find them. Many tickets have been sold and distributed in the public institutions.
As during the last match with Portugal earlier this month, match tickets will carry the name of the holders – to be checked against their identity cards. A printed message on the tickets’ back calls for calm, sportsman-like behavior and not to damage the country’s image.
“We know how to fight for victory but also how to show a spirit of world citizenry, fair play, rules of the game and respect for the visiting team,” the message says.
It is believed that hundreds of policemen will provide security at Elbasan Arena, located 40 kilometers south of Tirana.
The first leg of the qualifier was abandoned in Belgrade last year because of the extensive violence that included a brawl among players and a pitch invasion by home fans. Albania was awarded the match by forfeit 3-0.
Albania is third in the group with 11 points from six matches. Portugal leads with 15 points, followed by Denmark with 12 but having played an additional game. The top two qualify automatically with the third-place team entering a playoff.
Serb Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic has indicated he may be present at the match alongside his host Albanian counterpart, Edi Rama, but this has not been officially confirmed by either side.
