The President of the Football Federation of Kosovo, Agim Ademi, spoke to Blick before the World Cup qualifying match between Switzerland and Kosovo, where he also spoke about midfielder Leon Avdullahu.
Kosovo will face Switzerland tomorrow (Friday) in the first qualifying match for the 2026 World Cup and before this match, the major Swiss media outlet View has interviewed the head of the FFK, Agim Ademi, who has spoken at length about the relations between Switzerland and Kosovo, but in particular the recent much-discussed case of Leon Avdullah, who chose to represent the Dardanelles.
Blick: Mr. Adam, should Switzerland tremble because of you?
Dawn Adam: Switzerland has nothing to fear from me or from the Football Federation of Kosovo. We are good friends and you have nothing to fear from friends. We cultivate very good relations with Switzerland. But in football, in the end it matters who wins the match. That’s why we want victory on Friday.
Blick: We meant more the fact that you have achieved a “success”, because Leon Avdullahu will play for Kosovo in the future and no longer for Switzerland.
Adam: Regarding players with dual citizenship: Of course we are open to all those who want to represent Kosovo and who have the necessary level. There is a strong diaspora in Switzerland, which preserves its roots, feels Kosovar blood and loves the country of its fathers and families – even though many of them were born in Switzerland.
Blick: Do you feel any kind of guilt towards the Swiss Federation, which has invested in Avdullah’s development as a footballer?
Adam: We will always be grateful to Switzerland, which has accepted our community. And yes, in Switzerland, footballers have many more opportunities than in Kosovo. But Albanians have also taken Swiss football to a new level, starting with Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri in the Swiss national team. Even in the Super League teams, five or six footballers of Albanian origin often play, while in the youth academies there is an extremely large number of Albanian players. We rejoice in their development and are happy when they also help in the rise of Kosovo. Switzerland as a state has helped us realize the dream of independence, supports us economically and administratively. And yes, it can be said that it also helps us in the sports field. But for this reason, it has no reason to be afraid of us, and I do not feel any guilt either. We have not forced anyone to play for us.
Blick: How did you convince Leon Avdullah to choose Kosovo?
Adam: He decided with his heart. But he is also very smart, a thinking player and that’s how our project convinced him. But above all he followed his heart.
Blick: What role did his parents play?
Adam: Conversations with Leon and his circle have continued for over a year. We know his family, we are connected with them by friendship. But his parents did well to stay away. They left the decision to Leon alone. A boy like him cannot be manipulated.
Blick: What does the project you talked about look like?
Adam: We have taken on a lot of young players, between the ages of 17 and 20, who will form our team for the next ten years. The goal is to qualify for the European Championship. And Leon has a special role as a leader. We see him as part of the new generation, which must build the foundations. We believe that he can become the Granit Xhaka of Kosovo. Of course, he is still young and we don’t want to put too much pressure on him. But we think that he can develop even more.
Blick: Did you have any contact with the Swiss Federation before or after Avdullah’s decision? Did the SFV complain to you?
Adam: No. But that’s how it’s always been between the two federations. We didn’t complain either when Andi Zeqiri or Uran Bislimi decided for Switzerland, although they tried with Kosovo before. When a player makes a decision, it’s respected. By both sides.
Blick: So there is no conflict?
Adam: No. Even when someone chooses Switzerland, we respect it. When Xhaka and Shaqiri chose Switzerland, we continued to support them – right at the time when we were establishing our state. Recently, for example, Ardon Jashari told us no. These players feel good where they are. And we, because of them, are even fans of the Swiss national team.
Blick: On the other hand, it could be that Albian Hajdari, another young player with a Swiss passport, moves to Kosovo. How many other talents are you keeping an eye on?
Adam: We would be open to Albiani. We would be happy and proud if he would choose us. But we support every decision he makes. All Kosovars – whether from Switzerland or other countries are welcome to us. We even give them the opportunity to test us before they decide. Whether in men’s or women’s football.
Blick: Why are Swiss players so important for Kosovo?
Adam: Because there is a large Kosovar community here. But our focus is not specifically Switzerland, we also have players from Germany, France or Scandinavia. You just notice the players who come from Switzerland more, that’s why you have this impression (laughs).
/Telegraph/