Tensions surrounding the Kosovo Cup final between Ferizaj and Dukagjini were not unexpected, as dissatisfaction from the Ferizaj club regarding the referee had already been publicly expressed before the match. Criticism of the referee’s decisions and suspicions of influence on recent results had already created an atmosphere of mistrust, which culminated in the decisive clash.

This was the statement of Ferizaj president Lulzim Abazi, given to KosovaPress two days before the final against Dukagjini — a direct warning about what the club considered refereeing injustice.

“This essentially means that the results that have occurred, especially in these last rounds, were results that could not have happened if everything had been in order. And, as it seems, the old alliances between teams or clubs have seriously harmed us. We have been heavily damaged in this lower part of the table due to the recent results. You know that two weeks ago in Gjilan, a referee gave us 13 yellow cards; we made this public, and it is impossible for a referee to give 13 cards in one match — he broke all records of the Republic of Kosovo. Since football in Kosovo was established, this referee has broken all records, and it is very surprising that the same referee will be in VAR for the big Cup final. This is an absurd of its kind, but this is what is happening in Kosovo, this is what is going on, and we have nothing to do,” said president Abazi.

Events in last night’s final appear to have only reinforced these claims. The Ferizaj team reacted strongly after the match, directing criticism mainly at referee Genc Nuza.

In a social media post, the Ferizaj club wrote: “Genc Nuza, congratulations on the Kosovo Cup. Shame is something else! We don’t take medals.”

Tensions peaked in the final minutes, when Ferizaj briefly walked off the pitch, unhappy with the referee’s decisions and the added time awarded. According to reports, four minutes of stoppage time were initially given, which triggered an immediate reaction from Ferizaj players, who argued there had been more interruptions during the game.

The situation worsened further after a controversial incident in the penalty area, where Ferizaj claimed a penalty, but the referee did not award it and did not review the situation via VAR. Subsequently, Ferizaj captain Haxhimusa received a second yellow card and was sent off, leading to a full escalation of the situation.

After around 10 minutes of interruption, Ferizaj returned to the field to finish the match, but their post-match reaction shows that dissatisfaction with the referee remains deep. There is still no detailed explanation from the club regarding the decision not to accept the medals, while reactions from relevant institutions regarding the incidents in the final are expected.

In the final played at the Fadil Vokrri stadium in Prishtina, Dukagjini won the Kosovo Cup for the first time, with a 2–1 result.