At the ordinary congress of the European Football Association (UEFA) held in Budapest on Tuesday, Kosovo was admitted as the 55th member of the organization.
In order to become a member, Kosovo needed a simple majority - 28 countries voted in favor of membership, 24 voted against, and two votes were not counted.
According to the president of the Lithuanian Football Federation (LFF) Edvinas Eimontas, the different voting results were influenced by doubts whether the representatives of the country are already sufficiently prepared.
"In order to become full members, they will still need to resolve a number of issues, including a stadium for the national team. However, the majority opinion was positive. Congratulations to Kosovo on being accepted into the football family and we wish them success," said Eimontas.
Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, but has not yet been admitted to the United Nations Organization and the International Football Federation (FIFA). This country was only granted the right to play friendly matches.
During the UEFA congress, for the first time a female representative was elected to the Executive Committee - Frenchwoman Florence Hardouin.
