The man on the left has just punched a fellow Feronikeli supporter after their team had lost 2-0 to Slovan Bratislava in the Europa League (come on the Wolves!). The police are on their way to escort him out of the Pristina City Stadium. A fight at a football stadium isn't surprising, but a total absence of any away supporters is. Not one!
That needs an explanation. The Slovakian team are from a country which, being an ally of Serbia, has not recognised Kosova as an independent country. Indeed, Slovan Bratislava's manager is Serbian (absent) and three of the players are Serbian (also absent). To make matters worse, the Slovakian supporters in last week's home leg chanted some unsavoury things about Kosova. So the absence of away supporters represents the hostilities which are sadly all too evident in the Balkans and eastern Europe. Indeed, the Kosovan home supporters chanted "KLA, KLA", (Kosova Liberation Army) when the teams came out.
The wonderful backdrop to one end of this modern stadium is the brutal concrete 'Youth' Palace' from the Yugolslavian communist era. Nothing like a bit of communist concrete.
I was taken there by my generous host, Ilir Dervishi. We are both Wolves fans (he, a recent convert, you understand). In spite of the poor standard of football, it was an enjoyable cultural experience which helps me understand more of the psyche of this country (well, that's my excuse!).
The final surprise of the evening was meeting the British ambassador to Kosova, Ruairi O'Connell, outside the ground after the match. He had taken one of his children to the game and Ilir recognised him. Nice man. Sounds Irish to me. Now, where are Wolves playing tonight ...?
