Albania’s national soccer team will be given diplomatic passports. (Source: AP)The players on Albania’s national soccer team will be given diplomatic passports in recognition of their win over Romania at the European Championship. (RESULTS | STANDINGS)
“They are ambassadors without passports, but the premier will supply (diplomatic) passports to them,” Albanian soccer federation president Armand Duka said Monday.
Albania finished in third place in the group, but it will likely have to wait until Wednesday to see if its three points is enough to advance to the round of 16.
In Tirana and in neighboring Kosovo, where half the squad has its origins, fans erupted in joy with people in the streets waving red-and-black national flags. Firecrackers were lit, cars rang their horns for hours and people danced to folk music.
The soccer federation said that the UEFA financial reward will be divided among the players, who have also been promised more rewards from the government.