Forum
NYON, Switzerland — UEFA has postponed Albania's next qualifier for the U-21 European Championship after the country was suspended from international soccer by FIFA.
European soccer's governing body confirmed Wednesday that no Albanian teams or officials can take part in any UEFA-organized match or event until the ban is lifted. Albania's U-21 team was scheduled to play Greece on March 26, but the game was postponed until further notice.
FIFA suspended Albania on Friday because of what it called heavy political interference by the country's government into the national soccer federation's affairs.
FIFA said the Albanian government accused the federation of match-fixing and illegally seizing money from the sale of television rights to show matches.
Albania's status will be discussed by UEFA's executive committee at its meeting in Vaduz, Liechtenstein later this month.
"UEFA and FIFA hope to solve this conflict during the next two months, depending on the collaboration of the Albanian government," UEFA said in a statement.
European soccer's governing body confirmed Wednesday that no Albanian teams or officials can take part in any UEFA-organized match or event until the ban is lifted. Albania's U-21 team was scheduled to play Greece on March 26, but the game was postponed until further notice.
FIFA suspended Albania on Friday because of what it called heavy political interference by the country's government into the national soccer federation's affairs.
FIFA said the Albanian government accused the federation of match-fixing and illegally seizing money from the sale of television rights to show matches.
Albania's status will be discussed by UEFA's executive committee at its meeting in Vaduz, Liechtenstein later this month.
"UEFA and FIFA hope to solve this conflict during the next two months, depending on the collaboration of the Albanian government," UEFA said in a statement.