Safety first for Irish fans in Albania

IRISH soccer fans travelling to Albania have been warned about the country’s high levels of robberies, mobster assassinations and car-jackings.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has advised fans at tomorrow’s Euro 2004 qualifier to dress modestly and avoid excessive disturbance.

“Albania is one of the poorest countries in Europe and those travelling there should be aware that there are significant problems of crime and corruption in the country. Travel insurance for loss of belongings is essential,” a spokesman said.

Albania is still recovering from the financial crisis of 1997, when half of the population saw their savings wiped out as a string of bogus pyramid banking schemes collapsed. In a fit of rage, people stole over one million guns from military armouries and many of these are still in use.

A band of 50 dedicated supporters has flown into Tirana, the Albanian capital after paying over €2,000 each for a dual match package. Last Saturday, they watched the Irish team overcome showers of bottles, coins and even an open pen knife as the home crowd turned nasty in a 2-1 victory against Georgia.

“Georgia and Albania are not the most attractive locations but these fans go absolutely everywhere,” said Catríona Coleman of tour agents, Ray Tracy Travel.

Fans have been advised to avoid driving because of the atrocious roads and inexperienced local drivers.

But prices in Albania are relatively cheap, with a two-course meal in Tirana costing 10, a packet of 20 cigarettes - 1, and a pint of beer - 2. Vodafone has set up a mobile network there and the economy is growing.

However, the overall number of travelling Irish supporters is expected to be small. The 100 Irish troops serving in the UN peacekeeping force (KFOR) in neighbouring Kosovo have been unable to attend the match due to duty commitments.

A 148-seat charter plane for Irish supporters, organised on behalf of the orphanage charity Cradle, has also been cancelled.

The Irish Football Supporters Association said the war in Iraq had made supporters more reluctant to fly.

The FAI said fans travelling from Ireland had been provided with the standard fact sheet.