FIFA has granted Kosovo\'s national team the right to compete in friendly matches. In reporting the news, Tanjug noted that the decision had been made after deliberation by FIFA\'s executive committee during a Budapest meeting. Kosovo\'s football association is not a FIFA member, since only UN member states are allowed and Kosovo has not yet become one. Kosovo proclaimed its independence from Serbia on February 17 2008, and has thus far been recognised by 90 countries out of the total 193 represented at the United Nations. Among these countries are the United States and 22 of the 27 EU nations, Italy included. (ANSAmed).