Albania government to reward Euro 2016 team with diplomatic passports

Emir Lenjani misses a chance during the Euro 2016 Group A match between Romania and Albania on June 19, 2016
© Getty Images
Albania's government says that it will reward its footballers with diplomatic passports for having beaten Romania 1-0 at Euro 2016 and finishing third in Group A.

Albania's government has claimed that it will reward its national footballers with diplomatic passports for having beaten Romania 1-0 at Euro 2016.

The team, playing in its first ever major international tournament finals, will get €1m (£770,000) in extra funding as well as the new passports, according to BBC Sport.

The awarding of diplomatic passports is mainly symbolic, and the players will not enjoy diplomatic immunity, as that is reserved for official diplomats, but they will benefit from easier international travel.

Despite losing their other two matches in Group A, Albania could still qualify for the knockout stages of Euro 2016 as one of the best third-placed sides.

A picture shows the trophy of the UEFA Euro 2016 football tournament ahead of the final draw in Paris on December 12, 2016
Read Next:
UEFA charges Albania, Romania
>