“At a time when European football insists on the highest standards of safety, equal treatment and zero tolerance for discrimination, today’s events in Široki Brijeg represent a serious step backwards and a direct violation of the basic principles on which the integrity of the sport rests.
Football club Željezničar expresses deep concern and strongly condemns today’s events at the match in Široki Brijeg, which represent a serious violation of the basic standards of safety, proportionality and treatment of fans in organized sports.
The actions of officials and local security structures, including the suspension of matches and the forced removal of our fans without a clear legal basis, as well as the evident and disproportionate use of force, are unacceptable and require an urgent institutional review.
FK Željezničar particularly points to continuous and systemic inconsistency in the application of standards. While extreme nationalist outbursts, glorification of war criminals and open calls for violence are regularly tolerated in stadiums across Bosnia and Herzegovina, without an adequate reaction from the authorities, today we witnessed a drastic and selective intervention against our fans due to content that does not represent any form of hate speech or violation of regulations.
The banner that was the reason for such a reaction represents the historical and social context related to the reintegration of a part of Sarajevo, including the Grbavica Stadium area, and as such cannot be qualified as a provocation or a security threat. Any other interpretation represents a dangerous precedent and directly encroaches on the right to a dignified and legitimate expression of collective memory.
We remind you that FK Željezničar, Stadion Grbavica and our fans were among the direct victims of the aggression against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Precisely for this reason, we consider any limitation of the right to mark historical facts related to our Club and our city unacceptable.
The fact that such incidents are happening continuously, including the recent case in Doboj, which passed without an adequate reaction from the competent authorities, is of additional concern. This pattern of behavior seriously undermines confidence in the system and the integrity of the competition.
FC Željezničar expects an urgent, independent and transparent investigation, with a clear determination of individual and institutional responsibility. We demand an unequivocal and decisive reaction from the Football Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in accordance with the standards set by UEFA and international sports regulations.
We emphasize that the Club, in order to protect its fans, integrity and reputation, will consider all available legal and institutional mechanisms, including addressing the relevant international bodies.
FK Željezničar remains firmly committed to protecting its values and will not accept the selective application of rules or any form of institutional injustice.
In the end, we thank NK Široka Brijeg for the correct hospitality,” reads the announcement of FK Željezničar.
