Florent Hadergjonaj withdraws from Kosovo national team
Right-back Florent Hadergjonaj announced he will not play for Kosovo, citing disagreements with coach Franco Foda.
Another blow for the Kosovo national team: right-back Florent Hadergjonaj announced via social media that he will no longer represent Kosovo, saying he has "no understanding" with coach Franco Foda.
The decision follows the earlier withdrawal of captain Amir Rrahmani, and comes at a tense moment for Kosovo, which faces a congested set of fixtures in the coming weeks.
Busy international window
In only ten days Kosovo must play four matches: on 24 September they host Ireland in Pristina, three days later they travel to face Austria, on 1 October they meet Israel in Hungary, and on 4 October they again host Austria.
Hadergjonaj is a regular starter in the Turkish league, where he plays for Alanyaspor, and his departure reduces the options available to Foda for the right-back position ahead of the tight schedule.
The tandem of recent withdrawals raises questions about squad morale and selection ahead of the sequence of fixtures; Kosovo will need to finalise a roster and adjust tactics without two of its established players.
Photo: press material from the event
