On the occasion of the public appearances and reactions that followed the final double-header of the Cup of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Velež Mostar Football Club addressed the Bosnian sports public.
We are transmitting their statement in its entirety.
“FK Velež Mostar will not build its communication on provocations, belittling opponents, political messages or attempts to turn the sports field into a training ground for ideological allusions, raising tensions and national competitions that do not bring anything good to the sport.
This is precisely why we cannot remain silent when the name of Veleža, his fans, the city of Mostar, as well as the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina are tried to be represented through the prism of division, frustration and hatred.
We firmly reject such qualifications!
Velež was not born out of hatred, but survived in spite of hatred. Velež survived thanks to love, belonging, pride and people who took care of him even when it was the most difficult. All those who today try to reduce the history of this Club to daily provocations, politicking and superficial evaluations obviously do not understand history, Velež, Mostar, or the core of the existence of our homeland.
We will not run away from the sports result. We have never run away from our mistakes either, but our answer will not be excuses. Our answer will always be love, work and commitment to be better.
Yes, we reached out to our opponents. That gesture is not a reflection of weakness, but an expression of dignity, home upbringing, sportsmanship and the same image that this Club has been carrying for more than a century of its existence.
We did it honestly and sportingly. Not because we can choose what the answer will be from the other side, but because we can always choose what we will be.
But when the country of Bosnia and Herzegovina is insulted during the final of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Cup, and insults and provocations are directed at the opponent after the match, then it definitely does not belong in the category of European, sportsmanlike, gentlemanly, and least of all Mostar manners, regardless of how hard our opponent tried to assign such epithets to himself.
Such manners are not proven by big words and PR announcements, but by clear actions. Attitude towards others. Sportsmanship. By respecting the country. By measure. Responsibility.
We firmly and proudly stand behind our IDENTITY, our COAT OF ARMS, HISTORY and libertarian values that generations have proudly carried in their hearts. These are exactly the reasons why this Club lasts and will continue to last.
We stop here. Ahead of us are new matches and the fight for European competitions. Our response will not be a shootout. Our answer will be quality football, work, dignity, a stronger Club and even greater responsibility towards the name we proudly bear.
FK Velež Mostar continues on its way. Dignified, proud, defiant and always on the right side of history.
Mostar in the heart, Velež to the grave!“it says in the announcement.
(Vijesti.ba)
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