Ahead of the match between Serbia and Albania on Saturday, the Serbian Football Federation has issued an urgent notice, following the arrest of an Albanian citizen who, according to the Serbian Ministry of Interior, had attempted to bring Kosovo Liberation Army symbols and other prohibited items into the country.
In a statement, the FSS said it "fully supports the actions of the authorities" and that the match constitutes a "high-risk event," so strict security measures will be taken, writes Serbian media outlet Kurir.
The Serbian Federation announces that:
"The tickets are personalized, and only the person whose name is identical to the one on the identification document will be allowed into the stadium entrance."
"Black market interest" has been noted in several municipalities in southern Serbia, and any such purchase "is a waste of money," as entry to the stadium will not be allowed.
At the entrance, all lighters, coins and hard objects will be confiscated, with checks taking place at two security points.
The federation appeals for fans to arrive early at the stadium "to avoid delays and respect the rules."
The FSS emphasizes that the safety of players, fans and all participants is an absolute priority, and that it will not allow "any incident that could damage the reputation or interests of the national team and the Serbian state."
This reaction comes in a tense atmosphere, with the match described by Serbian authorities as "highly risky", while the media in Belgrade emphasize the "risk of Albanian provocations".