No injuries after explosion at Albanian soccer head’s home

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This article was published 25/01/2022 (1714 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

TIRANA, Albania (AP) — An explosion shook the home of Albanian soccer federation president Armand Duka without causing injuries, his spokesman said Tuesday.

Andi Vercani said the explosion occurred Monday at Duka’s home in the western port city of Durres.

European soccer’s ruling body UEFA expressed its concern to the Top Channel private television station, and its support to Duka “following the recent bombing at his house.”

UEFA also warned of “political interference in the running of the Albanian federation,” and raised “its concerns regarding the safe staging of the 2022 UEFA Europa Conference League final in Tirana in light of the recent events.”

The final is due to be held on May 25.

Duka’s wife and son were at home but were not injured in the explosion. Duka was in the capital city of Tirana.

Cameras captured an image of a hooded person apparently setting the explosive.

On Tuesday, Duka said he had received a life-threatening text message asking him to resign.

The 59-year-old Duka, who has been federation president since 2002 but is at the end of his mandate, is running for re-election on March 2 and is the main candidate. The contest has sparked a clash between him and Tirana city hall, which has accused Duka of corruption.

Tirana city hall has indicted two senior federation officials for interference in the election process of the city’s football club, KF Tirana, a day earlier.

The soccer federation’s website has also been hacked and is not running.

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