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Soccer fan accused of flying Albania banner appeals to govt

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Soccer fan accused of flying Albania banner appeals to govt
Sport

Sport

Soccer fan accused of flying Albania banner appeals to govt

2017-09-09 12:53 Last Updated At：12:53

An Albanian soccer fan wanted by Serbia for allegedly flying a drone carrying a nationalist banner over a match is asking Albanian authorities to prevent his extradition to Belgrade.

FILE- In this Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2014 file photo, a drone with an Albanian flag flies over Partizan stadium during the Euro 2016 Group I qualifying match between Serbia and Albania in Belgrade, Serbia. An Albanian soccer fan wanted by Serbia for allegedly flying a drone carrying a nationalist banner over a match is asking Albanian authorities, Friday, Sept. 8, 2017, to prevent his extradition to Belgrade. Ismail Morinaj has been under arrest in Croatia since June. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic, Files)

FILE- In this Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2014 file photo, a drone with an Albanian flag flies over Partizan stadium during the Euro 2016 Group I qualifying match between Serbia and Albania in Belgrade, Serbia. An Albanian soccer fan wanted by Serbia for allegedly flying a drone carrying a nationalist banner over a match is asking Albanian authorities, Friday, Sept. 8, 2017, to prevent his extradition to Belgrade. Ismail Morinaj has been under arrest in Croatia since June. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic, Files)

Ismail Morinaj has been under arrest in Croatia since June. Online news site Balkanweb says Morinaj issued a public letter to Albania's government on Friday.

A European Championship qualifying match between Serbia and Albania in October 2014 turned violent after a drone carrying an Albanian banner appeared over the pitch.

Morinaj insists Serbia's warrant is politically motivated. He says he fears he won't get a fair trial in Serbia and has sought political asylum in Croatia to avoid extradition.

Croatia's Supreme Court rejected his appeal. The final decision on extradition will be made by Croatia's justice minister.

FILE - This is a Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2014 file photo of a fight that broke out on the pitch between Serbian fans and Albanian national team players, with from right, Albania's Lorik Cana, Albania's Ansi Agolli, match official, 3rd left Serbia's Nenad Tomovic holding Albanian flag, Albania's Bekim Balaj, and soccer fan at left, during the Euro 2016 Group I qualifying match between Serbia and Albania, at the Partizan stadium in Belgrade. Ismail Morinaj, an Albanian soccer fan wanted by Serbia for allegedly flying a drone carrying a nationalist banner over a match, is asking Albanian authorities, Friday, Sept. 8, 2017, to prevent his extradition to Belgrade. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic, File)

FILE - This is a Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2014 file photo of a fight that broke out on the pitch between Serbian fans and Albanian national team players, with from right, Albania's Lorik Cana, Albania's Ansi Agolli, match official, 3rd left Serbia's Nenad Tomovic holding Albanian flag, Albania's Bekim Balaj, and soccer fan at left, during the Euro 2016 Group I qualifying match between Serbia and Albania, at the Partizan stadium in Belgrade. Ismail Morinaj, an Albanian soccer fan wanted by Serbia for allegedly flying a drone carrying a nationalist banner over a match, is asking Albanian authorities, Friday, Sept. 8, 2017, to prevent his extradition to Belgrade. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic, File)

 FILE - In this file photo taken on Friday, Sept. 4, 2015 Albanian Ismail Morinaj, 33, second left with beard, poses with other fans of Albanian national soccer team before a European qualifier game against Denmark in Copenhagen. An Albanian soccer fan wanted by Serbia for allegedly flying a drone carrying a nationalist banner over a match, issued a public letter to Albania’s authorities on Friday, Sept. 8, 2017, asking them to prevent his extradition to Belgrade. (AP Photo/Hektor Pustina, File)

FILE - In this file photo taken on Friday, Sept. 4, 2015 Albanian Ismail Morinaj, 33, second left with beard, poses with other fans of Albanian national soccer team before a European qualifier game against Denmark in Copenhagen. An Albanian soccer fan wanted by Serbia for allegedly flying a drone carrying a nationalist banner over a match, issued a public letter to Albania’s authorities on Friday, Sept. 8, 2017, asking them to prevent his extradition to Belgrade. (AP Photo/Hektor Pustina, File)

Next Article

Soccer players Sam Kerr and Kristie Mewis say they are expecting a baby

 2024-11-19 00:58 Last Updated At：01:00

LONDON (AP) — Chelsea striker Sam Kerr and U.S. midfielder Kristie Mewis are expecting a baby.

Kerr, the Australia captain, and Mewis announced the news on their respective Instagram accounts with pictures of the couple — including one of them holding up an image of the echography — and a post which read: “Mewis-Kerr baby coming 2025!”

Kerr, who this year signed a two-year contract extension with Chelsea, keeping her at the London club to 2026, is one of the biggest stars in the game.

She has won five consecutive Women’s Super Leagues, three FA Cups and two League Cups. She is currently sidelined by a serious knee injury.

Mewis, who plays for West Ham, is pregnant. She has 53 appearances for the U.S.

“A huge congratulations to Kristie and her partner Sam, who have announced they are expecting their first child,” West Ham said on Instagram.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

FILE - United States' Kristie Mewis, left, celebrates with Megan Rapinoe scoring the opening goal against Mexico during a CONCACAF Women's Championship soccer match in Monterrey, Mexico, Monday, July 11, 2022. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano, File)

FILE - United States' Kristie Mewis, left, celebrates with Megan Rapinoe scoring the opening goal against Mexico during a CONCACAF Women's Championship soccer match in Monterrey, Mexico, Monday, July 11, 2022. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano, File)

 FILE - Australia's Sam Kerr celebrates after scoring her side's first goal during the Women's World Cup semifinal soccer match between Australia and England at Stadium Australia in Sydney, Australia, on Aug. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft, File)

FILE - Australia's Sam Kerr celebrates after scoring her side's first goal during the Women's World Cup semifinal soccer match between Australia and England at Stadium Australia in Sydney, Australia, on Aug. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft, File)
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