Albania players to be given diplomatic passports
Albania's players will be given diplomatic passports by their government as a reward for Sunday's historic Euro 2016 victory over Romania.
Armando Sadiku's first-half header secured Gianni De Biasi's men a first ever tournament victory in Lyon, and they could yet reach the knockout rounds of Euro 2016 as one of the best third-place teams.
"They are ambassadors without passports, but the premier will supply [diplomatic] passports to them," Albanian soccer federation president Armand Duka told reporters after the match.
Sadiku's goal and Albania's subsequent victory prompted wild celebrations in Tirana and neighbouring Kosovo - where many of the squad are from - with firecrackers lit, cars ringing their horns for hours and thousands dancing to folk music.
Albania's football federation revealed that the UEFA financial reward will be divided among the players, who will also receive further honours from the government.