England’s World Cup qualifier against Albania at risk of being CANCELLED due to security fears

England’s World Cup qualifier against Albania on Sunday is at risk of being cancelled due to fears over the lack of police security, the Albania FA have said.

Gareth Southgate‘s men were due to face Albania in a Group I clash for the Qatar tournament next year in the country’s capital of Tirana on Sunday.

But in a statement released to Albanian Daily News, the Albanian Football Association (AFA) said the safety of both sides could not be guaranteed and that cancelling the fixture would have ‘catastrophic’ consequences for the country.

England’s World Cup qualifier against Albania on Sunday is at risk of being cancelled

Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions squad were due to face Albania in a Group I clash on Sunday

‘Today in the Albanian Football Federation a letter arrived from the Local Police Directorate of Tirana which states the structures of the Local Police Directorate Tirana cannot guarantee the taking of measures before, during and after the Albania-England match,’ it read.

‘Faced with the situation where the state authorities did not react after the request of the AFA for the release of spaces on the perimeter of the National Stadium, we request urgent response to these structures.

‘The cancellation of the Albania-England match would have catastrophic consequences for the image of our country, the National Team and in general for Albanian Football.’

Southgate’s men are set to arrive in Albania on Saturday after facing San Marino at Wembley on Thursday evening. 

But an Albanian Football Federation statement said both sides’ safety could not be guaranteed at the National Football Stadium in the capital Tirana

Southgate’s men are set to arrive on Saturday to take on Edoardo Reja’s men the next day

But Tirana’s police chief Rebani Jaupi has now entered into a row with the Albanian FA over security after insisting his officers cannot guarantee security because many of their stadiums consist of large window panels and tables and chairs outside.

The match at the Air Albania stadium will take place behind closed doors, but nearby bars and restaurants are expected to be full with no lockdown measures currently in place in the country.

That news comes after the country’s Prime Minister Edi Rama rejected the Albanian FA’s request to have around 30 per cent capacity, the equivalent of 6,500 seats, filled inside the ground if the supporters had been vaccinated against coronavirus.

Albanian FA member Andi Vercani told The Sun: ‘We are currently trying to resolve this issue with the authorities. It’s something that we hope can be resolved quickly within the next day.

Tirana’s police chief insisted his officers cannot guarantee security because many stadiums consist of large window panels and tables and chairs outside

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama (left) rejected the FA’s request to have a 30 per cent capacity crowd for the game

‘We need it to happen before the England team arrives on Saturday,’ Vercani concluded, with frantic discussions ongoing with the country’s FA, police and government to resolve the issue.

Approximately 50,000 Albanians have had the various Covid-19 jabs, and reports claim the FA are trying one last-ditch plea to the government to allow fans into the ground for the clash.

The Three Lions last faced Albania in a competitive fixture in September 2001, when goals from Michael Owen and Robbie Fowler sealed a 2-0 win in a World Cup qualifier at St James’ Park.