From UVIL ZAJMI
Memorie.al / Every time I meet Pjerin Noga, I have a special feeling. Not only as a former football player, educated, on the field and in life, but also because of the fact that over the years, in many meetings, we have been together on the field, that player and I referee. Career started with “Partizan”, liked and appreciated by trainer Refik Resmja, until the moment when he escaped after the match of “Olympic” of Marseille, with “Dinamo” of Tirana, a sensational departure for the time, which shocked the regime communist of Tirana. The interest of Bernard Tapia, the harsh reaction of Tirana, the meeting with Neptun Bajko and the transfer to the USA, where he has been living with his family in New York for many years. “Only Ilir Daja knew that I would leave. I was in the room with him. I gave him my shirt with number 5 to hand over to the Club”, he says in the interview for us, which we are publishing below in this article.
An event to remember, not only for those of our generation, but also for readers, those who know little about what happened to the “traitor” Noga, at Marseille airport, on the morning of Thursday, September 20, 1990. Just a few months ago, Albania was hit with the event of the embassies…!
THE SPECTACULAR ESCAPES OF ALBANIAN ATHLETES IN THE DICTATORSHIP
From Bule Vathi, Bahri Kavaja, Qemal Vogli, to Aleksandër Kondo, Lulzim Bërsheni, Arvit Hoxha and Pierin Noga. All the escapades of prominent athletes in the years of the dictatorship. The first, the two well-known football players of “Dinamo”, the National Team, Vathi and Kavaja, who were traveling by boat for a tournament in Warsaw, in the Bosphorus Strait, jumped into the sea, escaping. The echo was great. Only with the advent of democracy, in 1997, Bule Vathi appeared in “Qemal Stafa”, but as a guest.
Then Qemal Vogli, the famous goalkeeper of “Dinamo” and the National Team, who left during a tour in East Germany, but did not stay long, only four months, being forced to return to Tirana. They did not imprison him, but they did not allow him to continue playing football. In the decades that followed, no escape, fear, of the terrible consequences for the family members, were some of the reasons that held them back.
It was the year 1965, on August 3, the athlete of Partizan in the sports walk, Adem Sabli, during the stay of several hours at the Belgrade airport, after returning from the route; Beijing-Moscow-Prague-Budapest, waiting to go to Tirana, he escapes by running, although they follow him, but without being able to stop him. Then, the very sensational departure of the weightlifters Aleksandër Kondo and Xelal Sukniqi, when on their way back from an activity in Poland, in Titograd, they left.
A few years later, the football players of “Vllaznia”, Lulzim Bërsheni and Aarvit Hoxha, will escape with excitement, since October 1987, after the match between the teams “Rops Rovaniem” and “Vllaznia” held in Finland (Cup of Cups of Europe, the second tour), on the way back, during a 24-hour stopover in Athens, they left the hotel after midnight. The consequences were catastrophic; punishments for family members, coaches and managers. Then that of Pierin Noga, football player of “Dinamo”, the National Team, after “Olympic” Marseille – “Dinamo” of Tirana, in the Champions Cup, September 1990.
Another event, as were all those with the escapes in the dictatorship: Full of unsaid, secrets, anxieties, puzzles, emotion and history. Perhaps neither one nor two newspaper pages would be enough, but endless books…!
WHO IS PJERIN NOGA?
Born in 1963, a surprise defender when he appeared, with a unique and attractive style of play, with individual technical qualities, tactical player for the football he demonstrated. Typical player of “Dinamo’s” philosophy and tactics. Why?! Because he was calm, with a good possession of the ball, positional and unmistakable in the role of free defender. Elegant, a modern “libero”, with game vision, very correct and during the decade that he played, he received only one yellow card, from the Shkodran referee Tef Prela.
A career started with “Partizani”, “Skhëndija”, “31 July” of Burrell, then his debut in 1982 with “Dinamon”, where he played until the years 1989-90. Participant in the European Cups, with the age national teams, against “Aberdeen” of Scotland and twice with the representative: In London, on March 26, 1989, England-Albania, 5-0, in Sweden-Albania, 3-1. Staying in Marseille until 1994, to finally leave for the USA, to soon wear the jersey of “Connecticut”, “New York Sentauërs”.
Fan of Holland, “Ajax” and Cruyff. “When I was a child, I wanted to be like Safet Berisha, the legendary defender of “Partizani” and the Albanian National Team. I have a memory with him, we met in France, Euro 2016″. Fan of the singer Vaçe Zela, the Greek singer, Janis Parios, the American actor of western movies. Clint Instwood, and of Leo Messi: “Where Messi goes, with that team I become a fan”, he says.
Without forgetting Sefedin Braho: “How difficult, irresistible”! Then the rivalry with “17 November” of Minga, Kola and Muça: “It was a more solid team than “Partizan” of Perlat Musta, Ylli Shehu, Ilir Lames and Ledio Panos”. While Sulejman Demollari says about Noga: “An intelligent footballer, very accurate in the game, always with the radio nearby, a real intellectual. “Dinamo” of Birçe was a team that won all the national trophies in that season.
IN MARSEILLE, FOR THE FIRST TIME
September 1990 records the first historical confrontation between Albanian and French football, never before, neither with clubs nor with representatives. The draw of the 1990-’91 edition of the Champions Cup in the first round, “Dinamo”-“Olympic” Marseille, the club of the well-known president, Bernard Tapi. A deep defeat, against a team with 8 National team players, among them the scorers Cantona and Papen (winner of the “Golden Ball”), and the well-known coach, Franc Beckenbauer, on the bench. The 90 minutes of Marseille have no history. Dynamo’s resistance was able to withstand the powerful attack of the French until the end of the first half, which ended 1-0 with Papen’s goal.
Pjerin Noga’s account of the escape is so detailed that it looks like a film worthy of “Hollywood”. He even humorously mentions that he was inspired by the story of the famous book “The Count of Monte Cristo” before making the extreme decision. In the exclusive interview for “Panorama Sport”, he tells how his parents dismissed him from work and the pressure they put on his roommate, Ilir Daja, who is today one of the most popular coaches in Albanian lands, after returning to Tirana.
Mr. Pjerin, I have a slightly different first question: What would Noga have become, if not a footballer?
It was my father, the one I miss more than anyone else today, who pushed me to play football. As a former swimmer of Vllaznia, a fan of this club, even though he is an agronomist by profession, he insisted that I play football. I was an only boy, I liked art more than sports, I wanted to go to art school. But also a very good architect or a chess player. I play chess with pleasure all day.
Let’s talk a little about the Marseille challenge, what was the atmosphere like?
A city with an event and a detail that connected me to my adolescence. Edmod Dantes was imprisoned in a castle “Ifi”, even today I remember this name, which is located on a small island, in front of the bay of Marseille. I was looking at the sea, trying to find the island, then fantasizing about his escape, a very interesting story, which we have read in the famous book “The Count of Monte Cristo” by Alexander Dumas.
Then we also saw it in the movie. The day before we did the cognitive training in the stadium. The match was played in the evening, there were many immigrants. I was calm and during the match, I did not reflect any moment of uncertainty, confusion, I was even very normal, no emotion. I remember when Waddell said to me: “I remember you from the match at Wembley” and laughed. I also answered it. After the meeting, we returned late to the hotel. I was in the room with Ilir Daja.
Did you think about leaving again?
I had the idea of leaving since the Balkaniad in Turkey in 1981 with the youth national team, where I was captain. Although we were 17 years old, I talked with Sul Demollari, as we understood the lies here. So it was certain that one day I would leave. But of course, the fear and the noise that was made after the escape of Lul Bërsheni and Arvi Hoxha, became a harsh example, so that other footballers would not leave. You should think twice if you were to make such a decision.
Did anyone else know the plan?
I was in the room with Ilir Daja, as I told you. I had already made the plan in Tirana, which I had shown to Iliri before departure, to no one else. I hadn’t even told my family, only something to my mother. I would leave, not by sneaking out of the hotel after midnight, when the players were in their rooms, but when we were at the airport, on the way back. And so I did. What pushed me, apart from my personal opinion, was that 2 months ago, those from the embassies left and when I saw that they did nothing, I thought that I, too, would not have any consequences, especially the family. But the opposite happened to me.
How do you remember the last few hours with the team and the departure to the airport. What exactly happened?
That night, we had a few hours left, as the departure would be early. We boarded the bus, took the road to the airport. I was deliberately sitting at the end and with Ilir Daja, I exchanged some words. I had given him my number 5 shirt to hand over. The club of Marseille, seeing our lack mainly in sports materials, gave us uniforms, which they would bring when they came to Tirana.
For this reason, with us on the bus, there was also a representative of theirs, who asked us about body measurements, the number of shoes, etc. When he approached me, I did not show interest, I spoke something in English in a low voice, being careful. Only Demollari, who was in front of me, turned his head and saw me,. I had a different mind, many things did not enter my eyes, a difficult decision was waiting for me and I was out of all thoughts. I was 27 years old; I was convinced of what I was doing. It was morning, Thursday, September 20, 1990.
And then…?
I came out last, and while the players; the leaders took the direction to “check in” without turning their heads. I grabbed my bag and quietly, without anyone noticing me, quickly, without wasting a second, left behind the bus. I went out and took a cab, the first that came, telling the driver to take me to the offices of the Marseille Club, which I judged to be the only place to stay, to begin with. The decision had already been made and it had become a reality, there was no going back.
What happened to your team?
Only when they were on the plane, while it was taking off, the door was closed, did they realize that they were missing a football player. “Where is Noga”? They started asking, but it was too late. Going out to look for me was impossible. Meanwhile, I had left the airport. I had my bag, two changes of clothes and a small amount of dollars with me. There was only silence on the plane, no conversation or comments from the players and managers about my departure. They were surprised, as Daja told me later.
Did the press react and did you ask for help or not?
My stay in Marseille caused an immediate sensation. The news was made public by the newspapers of the day the next day, when they talked more about me and my escape than about the match. On their front pages it was written: “An Albanian footballer leaves after the match “Olympic” Marseille – “Dinamo”, were the headlines, accompanied by comments, information. I remember that I did not give any interviews about them and the televisions.
Is it true that the intervention of Bernard Tapia is informed and sought?
Yes, that morning I went to the “Olympic” Club of Marseille, I met an official. I communicated with him and was waiting. Bernard Tapi was not in the office, someone called him, “Dinamo’s center back has come to us, he is asking for political asylum, he is asking for help, he wants to stay in France”, and they told Tapia. “I will deal with his case”, he answered. First they took me into their villas. Meanwhile, the document process began. Three weeks there, then they settled me in Istres, a small town, where they gave me an apartment, where the players of the second team stayed.
After a few weeks, a gentleman arrives, a senator at the time, but also now, Patrik Menuci, an extraordinary man, who took an interest in me and helped me with my systematization. Even today he continues to be a senator; I still maintain friendship with him. At that time, I was going to school to learn French. I spent part of the time invited by the senator’s family. But even Tapi did not forget, inviting me to follow the “Olympic” games in Marseille.
What happened to your family in Tirana?
The embassies gave me the idea to escape, that is, the Albanians who fled shortly before “Dinamo” played in Marseille. I was more motivated by the fact that their families had no consequences and I thought that it would be the same with me and my family. That’s why I decided to leave. But my departure became a problem and I was described as a “traitor”. My father had a very bad experience, his bitterness did not leave him, when by order of Xelil Gjon, to make an example, he was fired from his job as director of the Livestock Directorate in the Ministry of Agriculture, and they were even ready to denounce him. Even the mother was dismissed from her job. The way they treated my father made him sick. I used to talk to my family on a car phone.
You said that Uncle took your shirt to deliver it…?!
She also became a problem. When they broke up in Tirana and Daja handed him over to the Club, they gathered, provoking him and accusing him, “why did he give it to you, so you knew that he would run away. Why didn’t you tell us”, etc., etc. Daja told me these years later. Faruk Sejdini, the vice coach, has also maintained a very correct and humane attitude, that even when he was asked about my personal life, he spoke very manfully, without giving any excessive information.
It is said that FIFA also reacted to you, what was the motive?
I started training with the “ISTRES” club, in the Second Category, which was a satellite of Marseille. When suddenly comes a notification from FIFA suspending me for six months, from any official activity. I stayed a year without matches, without friendly matches, which ruined a lot of my work, I lost my form, I remember that it was a difficult and difficult situation, not playing. I remember my case, as well as the departure of other Albanian footballers, a few months later, after the meeting with France.
There were seven footballers, 3 left in Geneva, in transit and 4 after the match at “Parc de Prince”. FIFA used my opportunity to make an example so that other players from Eastern countries would not leave. For this reason, I was very little active there. I wanted to play. As for becoming a coach, I never thought about it.
It is said that you met at that time, with “Dinamo” football player Eduart Abazi and Neptun Bajko, tell us a little about what happened?
I stayed in France for three years. No contact with other Albanians, I just remember quite by chance in Marseille, I met Eduard Abazi. It must have been 1993. He had come there, after he was in talks with the leaders of Marseille, to then move on to Portugal. We were teammates for many years. The other one was Neptun Bajko, who during his stay in Paris, found the opportunity to come to Marseille, asked me and we met. He stayed at my house for a week. “What I heard here, how well they speak about you, you left an incredible impression”, he told me before leaving.
In those years, an article, Gëzim Sinemati, wrote with a surprising title: “The traitor who honors the country”.
Joy to Sinemat, after having met Bajko who had just returned from France, Marseille, asking her about me, Neptune had told her that; “I was everywhere in conversations with people in Marseille. While in my decision, they had labeled me as a traitor, listening to their opinions, they humorously said: “The fugitive is a master”; “What betrayal, he is a wonderful man”?! Or; “The traitor who honors the country”, which Gezimi wrote in his newspaper.
What was the first meeting with the family after the escape?
It was 1993, when communism had fallen and my father, Mark Noga, a very kind man, came to Marseille. It was a meeting at the airport, very exciting, like never before. And while I was waiting for some reaction from him, on the contrary, after we hugged, he said: “It was your decision, nothing more.” Stayed for a month. Then I came to Tirana, with a French passport. Even today, every time I go back there, I have endless memories, a lot of nostalgia. Especially when I meet my teammates, Demollari, Daja, Tahiri, Jançe, etc. I also like Italy, Rome where I stop; I stay for a few days, every time I come to Albania.
Have you met Coach Bejkush Birçe?
In one case, being with some football players of “Dinamo”, they made a phone call to coach Birçe, telling him that; we have a surprise for you, we are waiting for you. He came and stayed when he saw me. Coach Birçe treated me with respect and appreciated me a lot, so I would never run away from him, but he shot at that moment. Birçe built a strong “Dinamo”, that season we got everything.
After France, where did you go?
I first went to America, as a visitor, without the idea that I would stay. Then in 1994, I changed my mind and decided to live there. For two years I was active with “Connecticut”, in the amateur league, the team of the city where I lived. I remember the first match, we won 3-0 and I scored a goal. That year the MSL (Major Soccer League) was opened, with 7 teams, 5 American and two Canadian. After a selection, I became active with “New York Sentauërs”. We played in the stadium where “Kozmosi” played, famous for Pele, Beckenbauer, Kinalje, etc. I was in a team with Dynamo player Naun Kove, as well as the two Albanians, wonderful people, Mirsad Hysenaj, Sadri Gjonbalaj. I’ve been in New York for 25 years.
Tell me a detail, when you were considered a French player…?!
Few knew me and from the information they had, they knew me as a French player. Years later, a friend, then a player of another team, said to me: “Remember when we played, how good a football player that Frenchman was”? I saw him, and answering him I said: “That Frenchman, I was ‘Nogi’, – that’s what they called me, – but from Tirana, Albania.” He was surprised. In 1994, I attended several matches of the American World Cup, and until recently, even saved the tickets for the matches.
You leave and finally part with football, do you have any regrets?
I only played two years, after I had a job offer; I was forced to part with football. In 25 years in New York, I was engaged in a well-known company for 18 years, where I felt quite good. It was the French language that became the cause, helped me, when I spoke and got to know the owner. I have a 25-year-old son, Tyler John, who is passionate about American football, as well as the NBA, and we see a lot of meetings together. When I can, I follow the Albanian championship, the matches of the national team and my “Dinamon”.
How does Noga judge that escape today?
It’s been 32 years. Time and energy were two factors that should not be wasted, that also encouraged me every day, to have a missing freedom. That system, that dictatorship did not offer them, on the contrary, it limited them. If history were to repeat itself and if life were to begin again, I would not have run away. I would never make that decision, take that action. All the more, seeing how my family was treated, I would have chosen a safer moment to leave. Memorie.al
