The Sports Arbitration Council of Kosovo (KAS) has responded to the Football Federation of Kosovo (FFK) after the latter contested the decision of the KAS regarding the lawsuit against the football club.Prishtina” which was excluded from European competitions as it was not licensed by the federation.

FFK had called the decision of KAS "influenced" by its chairman, Eroll Salihu, and not based on the law. KAS has called such contestation as a "tendency to influence its professional work, reports KosovaPress.

This is the full response from KAS:

The Council of Sports Arbitration expresses its deep concern for the attack on its members by the Football Federation of Kosovo (FFK), through the communique issued on October 30, 2024, regarding the decision of the Court of Sports Arbitration (GJAS) ) for the decision taken according to the lawsuit of KF Prishtina against FFK. Such attacks on KAS and its members by the Football Federation of Kosovo through prejudicial, tendentious and malicious statements have already become a routine. These attacks are intended to affect the work and professionalism of KAS, as a credible and competent institution to establish sports justice.

KAS strongly denies the statement of the Football Federation of Kosovo, stating that "The decision was signed only by Mrs. Jehona Shyti, secretary of Mr. Eroll Salihu and from the KAS member, appointed by FC Prishtina. This constitutes a conflict of interest, since Mr. Salihu, who is often involved in accusations against the FFK and is currently in court proceedings against it, has appointed his secretary, Mrs. Shty".

To clarify public opinion, in the decision on the KF lawsuit Prishtina against FFK, there is no access or intervention by the Chairman of KAS, Mr. Eroll Salihu, who has excluded himself not only from decision-making in relation to this case, but also from the discussion in the meetings of

KAS when the lawsuit in question was handled. The Court of Sports Arbitration for the case in question is

appointed in accordance with the KAS Regulation and avoiding the conflict of interest, since the Chairman of the GJAS for this case was appointed by the votes of the KAS members. For KAS, the personal attack, derogatory language and unscrupulous lynching towards Mrs. Jehona Shyti, whom FFK has called Eroll Salihu's secretary, is unacceptable. Mrs. Jehona Shyti is not the secretary of Eroll Salihu or any other individual, but she is the General Secretary of KAS, elected by the absolute majority of votes of KAS members. The Secretary of KAS is not an administrative or technical position, but is one of the arbitrators/members of KAS who is elected by the votes of the General Assembly of the Kosovo Olympic Committee. Violating the integrity of the President, Secretary, as well as any other member of KAS, represents an attack on the system of sports justice and the values ​​that we represent. KAS considers such untrue statements to be intentional and tendentious in the direction of the successful work of this institution, assessing that such attacks, among others, also aim to misinform the public opinion, hinder work and damage the image of KAS- it.

Based on the fact that it is not the first time that we are faced with such attacks and untrue statements from the FFK, KAS calls on the FFK and all other persons who aim to hinder this institution in fulfilling its mandate, to refrain from such untrue and biased statements.

The Sports Arbitration Council appeals for the implementation of its decisions by all parties involved in the sports process. The implementation of these decisions is essential to maintain the integrity of the sports system and to ensure justice for all.

Moreover, KAS assures the public opinion that such attacks will not affect its work, professionalism and functioning under any circumstances. KAS, as an independent and impartial institution in the exercise of its mandate, will act in accordance with the legislation in force to protect the interest of sports and athletes.