During yesterday’s football match between Crvena Zvezda and Fiorentina, a large banner was displayed on the north stand of the „Rajko Mitic“ stadium, showing a tank on the Serbian flag with the message „When the army returns to Kosovo…“ The Football Federation of Kosovo reacted on the occasion, describing it as an act of ‘warmongering.’ The Deputy Prime Minister of Kosovo, Besnik Bislimi, also reacted, claiming that the „Delije“ fans are sending messages „that the President of Serbia cannot publicly say.“
„The Football Federation of Kosovo strongly condemns and at the same time expresses anger and concern over the scandalous war-mongering choreography of the fans of the Serbian club Crvena Zvezda at the football match against Fiorentina in Belgrade,“ the FFK said in a statement.
This federation stressed that presenting a model tank in the stands „with symbolism against Kosovo“ is an unacceptable act for sports:
„But also for harmony and peace between the countries and peoples in our region, especially in the period of tension between the two states.“
FFK claims that this move and provocative slogans demonstrate that „opinion in Serbia and the local authorities has not changed since the aggressive approach“, alleging that it is „an open provocation towards sport in Kosovo“.
At the same time, the Football Federation of Kosovo added that, in accordance with UEFA regulations, they filed a complaint.
„We asked the UEFA authorities to urgently investigate this case and take strict measures against the club and Crvena Zvezda fans, in order to prevent such chauvinistic actions and similar provocations in the future,“ FFK stated.
The federation expects that the complaint „will be taken seriously“ and that those who “incite hatred” will be punished.
„This case makes us aware that the authorities of UEFA and FIFA need to immediately take stricter measures against violations of the principles and basic values of football,“ they underlined.
Furthermore, they emphasized that such actions and slogans, „which aim to provoke conflict and hatred,“ should not be tolerated.
„Football is a sport that, in addition to entertainment, should bring people together and serve to build bridges of cooperation,“ they argued, adding:
„FSK will continue to promote the true values of football, as it is aware that a safe and respectful environment in stadiums is essential to experience the excitement of football in a positive way.“
Bislimi: Delije fans often send messages that Vucic cannot say publicly
Deputy Prime Minister of Kosovo Besnik Bislimi, shared a photo of this action Twitter, claiming that the fans of Crvena Zvezda, the so-called „Delije,“ are sending messages that the President of Serbia „cannot say publicly“.
„Delije often send messages that Vucic cannot or does not want to say publicly, and he needs such actions to nourish public opinion with hatred and ethnically based nationalism,“ alleged Bislimi.
He also claims that the president of Serbia himself attended this match.
On the other hand, he accused official Belgrade of „using sports and other social activities as tools of propaganda“.
„In Serbia, the entire state apparatus was built in order to use the media, sports, art, culture, and science as means of propaganda and to incite violence, terror, tensions, and war,“ Bislimi stated.
Ceku: This must not go unpunished by the international community
The Kosovo Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Hajrulla Ceku, was also highly critical, describing the action as „shameful“.
„Warmongering rhetoric is a clear indication that Serbia hasn’t changed. This cannot go unnoticed and unpunished by the international community,” Ceku tweeted.
The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) did not make any announcements regarding this case by the time this news was published. Official Belgrade, the Football Association of Serbia and FC „Crvena zvezda“ also did not react so far.
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