In Albania, gambling is still prohibited by law, but the Albanian Football Association challenges everyone and decides to hold a lottery with... the National Team.
In the match with Serbia on June 7, those who hoped to secure a ticket online, or from a friend in the corridors of the Albanian Football Association, now have to wait for the "roulette". Because for one of the most important matches of the group, the one with Serbia, the federation decided to hold a lottery with the tickets. Without explaining any criteria and without the minimum of transparency. You simply apply somewhere and wait for an e-mail. But who is the company that took over, who licensed it and who protects citizens from abuse or fraud, only the federation knows.
It seems like a lack of coordination, but it's not like that at all. Here's why:
1.
If thousands of fans are still waiting for an e-mail, many travel agencies have put tickets on sale for a long time. These are the same agencies that offer tickets even when they go on sale normally for regular matches, even when the FSHF uses the national team for a ticket lottery against Serbia. And apparently these agencies are always lucky to have the right amount of tickets at the right time. Their owners have "subscribed" to the national team's plane...
2.
We make a mess of the crowd. While people discuss who the "national team lottery" smiled at, no one asks why this formula was chosen. No media has addressed this problem, also because the AFF has extended its influence to them by luring or threatening them with "highlights" of the matches.
3.
We break records with prices. No one asks why they are so expensive anymore. Tickets range from the old 20 thousand lek to 500 thousand lek against Serbia. Yes, yes, 500 thousand lek! In a country where those who should be held accountable expect to receive a gift ticket, this is not impressive.
4.
The largest fan group that opposed Armand Duka's cooperation with Serbia for Euro 2027 has been removed from the stands. The "red and black fans" have been in conflict with the Albanian Football Association (AFSH) for months, which took advantage of a rift between them.
5.
We're doing a Qoka. Just like in the match with Serbia 10 years ago in Elbasan, the fans will be the group "we were united by the collar". Institutional officials who behave like academics, take selfies and enter the "borderona" of the Albanian Football Association when they need to, as the case may be.
6.
We show strength. Today, the Albanian Football Association is still an island in a country where one party rules and one party makes the law. It has the luxury of having the poorest championship, empty stadiums almost all year round, and setting prices for the poorest citizens of Europe that surpass those of Italy and France.
7.
We manipulate to the point of ridicule. Do you remember when they announced a month and a half ago that FIFA punished us and closed 20 percent of the stadium? Now, when FIFA saw how much the Albanian Football Association is trying to make the lottery as interesting as possible, they put their hand on their heart and opened the stands behind the goal... Only there won't be red and black fans there, but some lucky "roulette" ones.
8.
We don't hold anyone accountable for organizing a joint European championship, with a country whose fans can't come to us and we can't go to Belgrade./VNA