Representative in the House of Representatives of the BiH Parliamentary Assembly, Šemsudin Mehmedović, submitted an initiative requesting the revocation of the work and residence permit of HŠK Zrinjski coach Igor Štimac.
An initiative is being launched which demands the immediate revocation of the work and residence permit of the coach of HŠK Zrinjski, Igor Štimac (58), writes Free Bosniawhich is in possession of the document requesting the said procedure.
In the document sent to the Service for Affairs with Foreigners of Bosnia and Herzegovina, it is stated that Štimac grossly violated the Law on Foreigners, and the initiative was submitted to the parliamentary procedure by a representative in the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH, Šemsudin Mehmedović.
What did Štimac say?
In the explanation of the initiative, the statement that Igor Štimac made as a guest on the Sport Klub television show on January 31 of this year is quoted.
My wish is that this year our HSK Zrinjski win the championship, we play great games against Palace and take the trophies in front of us, that our Croats in BiH get their own entity, to make Croatia beautiful and proud for us and to see less of those waving Yugoslav flags, Štimac said then.
A gross violation of the Aliens Act?
The initiative states that such a public appearance by a foreign citizen on temporary work in BiH is a gross violation of the Law on Foreigners, especially Article 10, which stipulates that during his stay in Bosnia and Herzegovina, a foreigner is obliged to respect public order, that is, comply with the law and the decisions of the authorities.
It is emphasized that Štimac’s work permit was issued exclusively for the performance of coaching duties, but instead, as stated in the explanation, “continuously engages in political activitypublic propaganda and appearances that have nothing to do with sports”.
His performances, it is claimed, contain elements of undermining the constitutional order and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, historical revisionism, intolerance and political radicalization and the promotion of ideologies contrary to anti-fascist and democratic values.
In the note, it is added that Štimca is due to similar appearances already sanctioned by the Football Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina in December 2025, which is cited as evidence that this is not an isolated incident, but a pattern of behavior.
Invitation to cancel stay
The Service for Affairs with Foreigners is required to act in accordance with Article 96 of the Law on Foreigners, which prescribes the reasons for the cancellation of residence.
The initiative refers to points that say that a foreigner’s stay is canceled if he does not respect public order, if undertakes activities that undermine the security of BiHif he stays in the country contrary to the purpose for which his stay was granted or if his presence poses a threat to public order or security.
In conclusion, the Service is required to protect the public interest and the constitutional order of Bosnia and Herzegovina, according to the Slobodna Bosna portal.
Zrinjski took over in August last year
Igor Štimac is a former Croatian national team defender, who played for Hajduk, Cibalia, Cadiz, Derby County and West Ham during his playing career. As a coach, he managed Zagreb, Zadar, Sepahan, Al-Shahani, as well as the national teams of Croatia and India. It has been in Zrinjsko since August 2025 he has 22 victories in 41 matchesnine draws and ten defeats.
In the championship of Bosnia and Herzegovina, it is in second place with nine points less than the leading Borc from Banja Luka. In the playoffs of the Conference League, they were eliminated by the favored Crystal Palace with a total of 3:1, and today’s national Super Cup against Sarajevo and the national Cup, in the semi-final of which they will play against Radnik from Bijeljina, are still waiting for him, writes Index.hr.
A series of violations by Štimč
In October 2025, Štimac was fined around 2,500 euros and given a six-month suspended sentence for two separate offenses that were combined. Then he was sanctioned for the Ustasha salute “Ready for home”but also because of the allusion that referees in the BiH league are helping Borec from Banja Luka.
Just two months later, he was again fined around 1,000 euros for “insulting and defaming”. Despite the suspended sentence, which required caution in public appearances, Štimac continued with controversial statements in the media.
The climax came after the match between Sloga and Borc (0:4), when he declared that the team from Doboj let the game go to the people of Banja Luka. After the victory of Zrinjski against Željezničar in Grbavica (3:0), the journalists asked him to comment on the big point gap behind Borce, given that many consider Zrinjski to be the best teamwhich is also confirmed by the European results.
The whole public knows that, I won’t talk about it. However, I will not give some rapists a chance to punish me“, answered Štimac. With that statement, he once again alluded to the fact that the referees are helping Borc so that the Banja Luka club wins the championship on the hundredth anniversary of its existence. It was these statements that led to new complaints against Štimac, and it is even mentioned suspension until the end of the season.
SDP demanded the revocation of Štimac’s work permit
SDP Mostar reacted to Štimč’s statements, which issued a harsh press release. It states that the messages that coach Zrinjski sends are unacceptable and that as a foreign citizen does not show respect for the Constitution and laws of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
From that party, they requested that Štimac’s work permit be revoked, with the explanation that his statements represent dangerous messages and the promotion of ideologies that have no place in modern society. The coach of the Mostar club reacted with mockery to the SDP’s announcement and pointed out how meets the requirements for a Bosnian passport. He announced that he would take it out and then see what the SDP would do.
Now I decided to take out BH. passport so I’ll wave it at them. Let me see how my job will be terminated. According to the roots, I have all the prerequisites to make it happen, I will do it by the end of this month, Štimac said for the Bljesak.info podcast.
(www.jabuka.tv | Photo: Denis Kapetanović/Pixsell)
