From Uvil Zajmi
Mirel Josa’s testimony: “Rragami gave us the first news about Enver’s death; “Daja” is in the heart, now we’re going to do cars”!
Memorie.al/ 38 years have passed since the end of May 1985 and we are trying to bring some previously unsaid details from the famous Albania-Poland 0-1 match. Dictator Enver Hoxha had just passed away, then the tragedy of “Hejsel”, before the final of the Champions Cup, on Wednesday, May 29, and the day after, in “Qemal Stafa”, Albania-Poland was played, valid for the qualifiers World Championship. How the “Boniek” case arose, the meeting with Boniperti, the intervention of Suzana Anjeli, the vicissitudes of why his trip to Tirana was hindered, until the granting of a visa, in “exchange” of a Platinia jersey: In an exclusive interview with Mr. Luftar Maile, the former official of our embassy in Rome, for the first time after so many years, reveals the truth about the refusal of the pass for the former Polish ‘ace’ of Juventus. Maile’s meeting with the Brazilian legend, Pele, in Fiumicino and how he went crazy with the beauty of the Albanian girls?!
In a rare account of the concern and uncertainty of the leaders of the Polish federation, about Boniek’s non-arrival and how he got the news a few hours before the meeting, the news that; “Boniek, he came with Anjeli’s charter.” How does midfielder Mirel Josa remember today, the death of dictator Enver Hoxha, the postponed match with Greece, the anxiety in the National Team; “will Boniek come or not” and “disappointment” for the promised shirt. The fatal minute of the goal scored by the newcomer from “Hejseli”, in a return to that moment, by goalkeeper Perlat Musta.
Hopes for qualification, the death of Hoxha, the tragedy of “Hejsel” and the match on Thursday!
It had been less than a month since Albania had finally parted with the dictator Hoxha, who had passed away on April 11, 1985, and the Albania-Greece match was scheduled to be played. It was not played and was postponed until October. The achievements of that edition did not end here…! Strange things also happen on Thursday, May 30, when Albania-Poland will be played in “Qemal Stafa”, valid for the World Cup qualifiers “Mexico ’86”. It wasn’t the first time they met. As for a little history, we remind you: – On October 10, 1970, in the matches for the qualifiers of the World Football Championship held in Katowice, Poland-Albania 3-0. (Goals; Gadoha, Lunaksi, Soltisick) and the not-so-small draw on May 12, 1971, at the “Qemal Stafa” stadium, Albania-Poland 1-1 (goal by Din Zhega).
Then the draw puts us again against the Poles in “Mexico ’86” and in the group are: Belgium of Shifo, Poland of Boniek, of course contenders, Greece and Albania. In October 1984, there are two meetings on the calendar: In Brussels on October 17, “Hejsel Stadium”, Belgium-Albania, 3-1 (goal Bedri Omurit ’84). After two weeks, on October 31, in Mielec, Poland, the meeting Poland-Albania, 2-2 (Smolarek ’23, Omuri ’54, Agustin Kola A. ’76, Palaz ’79), a surprising draw, when the meeting could to be won. But for the team led by Shyqëri Rreli and assistant Medin Zhega, the “bomb” will come in December, Albania-Belgium 2-0 (Mirel Josa ’69, Ben Minga ’86). A surprising result, for the European sports opinion, and hopes suddenly arise for participation in the final stage of the Mexican World Cup.
Boniek-Platini
But, in February 1985, Greece-Albania 2-0, then Albania-Poland 0-1, which finally faded the world dream. Meanwhile, after the “Germany ’74” World Cup, where it shone, the Polish national team had been in the elite for a decade. It played a modern, fast, scary football and had quality players, above all, the famous Boniek. He was a class footballer, starting with Juventus in Serie A. But, in contrast to Mielci’s match in Poland, half of the team would not come to Tirana, among them the legendary Zmuda, as well as others, new names will appear in ” Qemal Staff”, together with them; Smolarek and Boniek.
In the red and black team, from the first challenge, Ferit Rragami and Haxhi Ballgjini will not play, replaced by Hysen Zmijani and Fatbardh Jera. By UEFA, the meeting was scheduled to take place on Thursday and not Wednesday, set for the Champions Cup final. That very evening, Juventus wins 1-0 against Liverpool and takes the European trophy. The pair; Boniek-Platini was decisive in the triumph of the whites. Boniek even takes the penalty that Platini converted into a goal. But, after the evening of the final in the tragedy with 39 dead in the stadium, (which was also experienced a lot in Tirana), in the sports opinion, the question was asked: “After the tragedy, will Bonieku come to Tirana”?! And suddenly the news that he received: “Boniek has arrived”. From the newspaper “Sporti Popullor”, dated June 4, 1985, we are informed about the match between Albania and Poland:
Thursday, May 30, at the national stadium “Qemal Stafa” in the capital, at 17:00.
ALBANIA-POLAND 0-1
ALBANIA: Musta, Zmijani, Hodja, Targaj, Omur, Jera, Muça (Mile 60′) Demollari (Marko 81′) Josa, Minga, Kola. Trainer: Sh. The grid
POLAND: Minarcik, Pavlak, Vojciski, Pshebes, Ostrovski, Matilshik, Boniek, Urban (Tarasevič 87′), Dzhekanovski, Boniek, Smolarek. Coach: A. Piehnicek
MARKER: Boniek 24′
REFEREES: Zhezhov, Yerimov, Dotsev from Bulgaria
SPECTATORS: 17,000
CORNETS: 6-3
The match of the A teams was preceded by that of the ‘Shpresa’ teams, held on Wednesday, May 29 in Berat, within the framework of the 5th European Championship of this age group. The result was 2-1 for the Poles, although the Albanians were the first to take advantage with Fakaj in 32 and 1-0, the first half ended. For “Shpresa” which was directed by Fatmir Frashëri, played: Durim Mersini, Stafa, Ramadani, Artur Lekbello, Adnan Ocelli, Adrian Arbëri, Agim Canaj, Briza, Lefter Millo (Imami 79), Sokol Kushta and Faslli Fakaj. The next day on the front page, in addition to a big headline, where Albanians are informed that the damages of the earthquake have been liquidated, there is also a long article, by Ismet Bellova and Nexhat Gjuzi, about the long-awaited meeting of the “Big” formations.
“A fast start with an ideal chance for Ben Minga in the second minute, hesitation, unprepared for the situation that was created and of course, could not score…! Later, the game will be tied, to come to the 24th minute, when Boniek, after receiving a ball skillfully from Urban, shoots hard and 1-0! Error of the defenders, of the goalkeeper? More than that, the credit of the well-known Polish player!” Ranking: Poland 7, Belgium 7, Albania 3, Greece 3 points. In October, Albania-Greece 1-1 (Omuri ’26) and this is where the red and black adventure ends.
The testimony of the former Albanian diplomat in Rome, who solved the “Boniek” case
Luftar Maile, the former Albanian diplomat in Italy before the 90s, returns to the “Boniek” case, as the man who directly dealt with the visa for the entry into Albania of the player of the Polish national team, Zibi Boniek. “I was head of the consular office at our embassy in Rome. I also covered sports. Relations with Italy were very good and on May 1, a concert in Tirana by the singer Claudio Vila was planned, as well as other events that were planned for that year. After Enver Hoxha died, a chaotic and extremely delicate situation was created. They are memories that I have never told him”, says Maile
Mr. Maile, what happened during those hours that the arrival of Boniek was discussed and how was your communication with the Juventus club?
About two weeks before the meeting, a lady called Zola, from the Juventus club, called me. It was the first time I communicated with a football club, without knowing what the motive was. “Boniperti, the president of the club, wants to talk to you. When can I? She asks me. “Even now”, I answer and after a while he connected me with him.
In the conversation, he tells me that the next morning; he wanted to come to the embassy. He came accompanied by a woman and another person. He told me that they were interested in a pass to Tirana, for the Albania-Poland match, for the Juventus player, Boniek. At first I was confused and had a hesitation, or rather a kind of fear about the request that was being made to me.
Hesitation and fear, why…?!
As soon as Enver Hoxha died, entry and exit to Albania was restricted, the border structures went on alert. The fear of interference from certain gangs and segments was great and Italy was considered as a base for their introduction into Albania, mainly by sea. In such circumstances, a visa or a pass to our country was not easily granted. It required a special approval from Tirana, an accompanying fax from our side, after which we notified the points of entry into Albania. Without the permission of our consular office, you could not go down to Rinas.
Did you reject the arrival of Boniek by charter?
In the meeting with Boniperti, I told him that I would talk to Tirana and inform them. Meanwhile, from the Foreign Ministry, the head of the consular office, Hysen Reçi, a fan of “November 17”, tells me: “Don’t make the mistake of giving him permission, because you will have consequences…! How will you give it, when we are ready?! Wait for the approval to come officially, not with words”, he informed me on the phone. It was a fact that in that period, entry-exit was limited for foreigners, especially by chartered planes.
“Taromi”, which did Bucharest-Tirana-Rome and vice versa, came once a week on Wednesday, there were no ferries, only once every 10 days, from Trieste. I contacted Boniperti again and informed him, saying: “After I communicated with Tirana, bad luck struck you, as our country is ready and the superiors told me ‘no’. They refused the pass and entry of your footballer to Albania”.
Was this really the real reason for the rejection?
This was a reason for Boniek not to come to Albania. The situation was exploited in this case; they did not tell him bluntly that they did not want Boniek to come to Tirana, for the match against Poland. At dinner, Suzana Anjeli, deputy foreign minister of Italy, calls me and tells me that; for the good relations we have, I had to intervene, to come Boniek to Tirana. “I could have been an Albanian bride because of the friendship, the acquaintance I had with Isuf Vrioni, and this is more of a motive,” he tells me. “Okay, – I answer, – I will talk, but it’s not in my hand.”
What were the consequences of Bonieku not coming to Tirana?
Meanwhile, our government had sent the notice to the Polish federation, that we were only waiting for the plane of the team and our rules did not allow anyone to come individually, creating a problem for the national readiness. Even Boniperti had the fax, with which he had communicated with the Polish federation, which guaranteed him from Juventus the arrival of Boniek in Tirana, traveling by charter. Thus, if his arrival in Tirana to play with the national team was prevented, there would be problems for our federation and Juventus.
How did the order change afterwards and why did you give the visa to Boniek?
I contacted Tirana again, and they say “no” again. I sent the answer again to Suzana Anjeli, informing her that; Boniek cannot start. “Then I will officially talk to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” she answered. Muhamet Kapllani, deputy minister at that time, after communicating with him, took me and said: “You are confusing the countries…, give me the visa”. “You have authorized me not to give them,” I told him. – It must come to me officially”. “No, no, give the pass and tell them to come and get it”, he ordered me.
How did you do after that and were they satisfied?
Not quite, there was a condition again…!
What condition?
I notified them, they came, they brought me the documentation, I prepared the border crossing permit and when I handed it over to them, leaving after securing Bonikeu’s trip to Tirana, I told them: “I got your visa, but on one condition…”! “Yes, order”, they told me a little surprised. “In exchange, I want a Platini jersey”, I told them jokingly. We laughed. “OK”, they told me, but with a “condition”, they also answered me: “You have been invited to come to Brussels, for the final of the Champions Cup, Juventus – Liverpool, which was played in a few days”. They put me on the club’s list of honored people and sent me a match and travel ticket every time Juventus played.
You went to Heysel, what happened there?
Anjeli’s family group came by charter to Rome and I traveled with them to Brussels. When we went to the stadium, there was confusion. There we learned what had happened. Then the match. After her with the leaders of Juventus, we went down to the dressing room. They were happy with each other, but they were shocked. They had prepared a surprise for me without even telling me. Suddenly Platini came and gave me his jersey. In my presence, he wrote a dedication: “Gift Mr. Malia”. I was surprised. I don’t know that I also gave it to a friend of mine, Hysen Shah, (former deputy minister of the interior of those years, who loved football, separated from life, a few years ago). There I also met Boniek, and when they told him: “This is the one who gave you the ‘permesso'”, he hugged me.
“Thank you”, he told me. After three days, Zola, Bonipert’s secretary, called the embassy and asked for me. “It’s not here,” answered an employee, “they sent it back to Tirana.” “Why”, she asks worriedly? “Because he gave the visa to Boniek. He was the one who scored the goal and we lost…”! She was surprised and kept quiet, but when they told her it was a joke, she calmed down. He took me to thank me. I remember that from the friendship we created, Boniperti was interested and has helped many Albanian students in Turin, for a residence permit, problems with the quaestura, etc.
You told me that you met Pelena and that the Brazilian was amazed by the beauty of the Albanian girls…! How is the story?
Yes it is true. I was in Fiumicino, waiting for the ensemble “Migheni”, if I’m not mistaken, coming from a tour in Algeria. I would accompany them to see Rome, because I had an authorization to take them out of the airport. Pele was also there, waiting for a team. He was accompanied by those from the Brazilian embassy, and since I knew them, during the reception we met, talked, and he even gave me a photo of himself.
“My friend Malia”, he wrote, which I gave to Limoz Dizdar. When the ensemble girls came, they approached. “I am their companion”, I say to Pele. Confused, stunned, he addresses me: “How beautiful girls! I hope to come and see you in Albania”, he told me.
Mirel Josa’s testimony: “Rragami gave us the first news about Enver’s death; It’s okay, Uncle, now we’re going to drive cars”!
“It was Thursday, April 11, 1985. The day before, we had a friendly with Flamurtar at ‘Qemal Stafa’, on the eve of the challenge against Greece in Tirana. It ended 0-0 and we returned to Durrës. The next morning we did a training session with Zhega, after Rreli stayed in the room. The first to give us the news that the dictator had died was Ferid Rragami, when he entered our rooms and told us: “It’s okay, Daja is dead, now we’re going to use cars.”
At 12:00 we were notified of an urgent meeting at the convalescence canteen. In the whole country, at the same time, the announcement was made that Enver Hoxha had died. The gathering was closed, the meeting with Greece was postponed, we left for Tirana, for the funeral ceremony that followed a few days”, recalls Mirel Josa.
Mr. Josa, how was the atmosphere before the match with Poland?
We gathered again in convalescence, at Poplars. On May 29, we watched the Juventus-Liverpool final at dinner. We didn’t understand what was going on and the coaches didn’t allow us to, it was late, and the next day we had the game. But, after what happened in Hejsel, doubts arose: Will Boniek come to Tirana or not?!
Even in the morning analysis, we discussed what we would do if he comes, and if not, until we were informed that he has arrived. In Poland, he was one of the strong points, a Juventus player, together with Platini, and we, as admirers of the Italian team, knew his game. There was no personal coverage, I was the one who would check him, when he approached the goal, that he was playing behind the two strikers.
You told me about a promise, what was it about?
In Mielec, I asked Boniek for the Juventus shirt. He promised to bring it to me when he came to Tirana. Before the game at “Qemal Stafa”, I took a photo with him, but he didn’t say anything to me, and I didn’t remember him either. We didn’t even exchange the jerseys after the match, because like us, they also had a problem exchanging them.
Here we played in new, red, short-sleeved T-shirts from Korça’s knitwear, and if you gave it away or exchanged it, it would cause problems. You would pay it, because the coat of arms cost more, then “why, you ruined the uniform, where can we find the other jersey”, because it was the only one, even for the other meetings.
The coaches left after a lost match and then Sulaj comes. What do you remember?
We played well, but we were unlucky. Here too, just like in Poland, we aimed for Boniek to be released, to have zonal coverage from me. They won with his goal, which he scored in the only moment that happened to be free, with a shot, and not from an action, his typical incursion. The next morning, the analysis would be done at the “Qemal Stafa” collection center. There they informed us that the coaches had been fired and Agron Sulaj took over the team. Memorie.al
