UEFA is investigating Serbian club Crvena Zvezda after fans displayed a banner honoring Ratko Mladic during a Europa League match.
Key facts
- •The banner displayed by fans read: “General, eternal glory and thanks.”
- •Ratko Mladic died on Thursday at age 84 while serving a life sentence for genocide and war crimes.
- •The Srebrenica Memorial Center argues the club's official social media posts amplify the offensive messages.
- •UEFA previously sanctioned the club in 2018 for similar behavior regarding tributes to Mladic.
- •The 1995 Srebrenica massacre resulted in the deaths of more than 8,000 Bosniak men and boys.
UEFA has initiated disciplinary proceedings against the Serbian football club Crvena Zvezda, also known as Red Star. The investigation follows an incident during Thursday’s Europa League playoff match against Viktoria Plzen in Czechia, where supporters displayed a banner honoring Ratko Mladic and chanted his name.
By the numbers
Disciplinary Charges and Club Conduct
UEFA stated that the proceedings concern allegations of racist or discriminatory behavior and the transmission of messages unsuitable for a sports event. Additionally, the club faces charges regarding team conduct after receiving seven yellow cards and one red card during the match. The Srebrenica Memorial Center has filed an official complaint with UEFA, specifically criticizing the club for sharing images of the banner on its own social media channels.
Background on Previous Sanctions
Crvena Zvezda has faced similar disciplinary action in the past. In 2017, supporters displayed banners and chanted in support of Mladic during a match against BATE Borisov. Following that incident, UEFA initially ordered the club to play a home match behind closed doors and issued a €50,000 fine. After an appeal, the stadium ban was deferred, and the fine was reduced to €30,000.
Timeline
- November 2017Crvena Zvezda supporters displayed banners and chanted for Mladic during a match against BATE Borisov.
- January 2018UEFA ordered the club to play a match behind closed doors and issued a fine.
- June 2021The UN tribunal upheld the life sentence for Ratko Mladic.
- ThursdayRatko Mladic died, and Crvena Zvezda supporters displayed a banner during a match against Viktoria Plzen.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Anadolu Agency Sport.
