Fans of the football team of Bosnia and Herzegovina will, as expected, be able to display the flags of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina with lilies at the matches of the upcoming World Cup in the United States (USA), Canada and Mexico, Vijesti.ba learned from a source in the World Football Association (FIFA).
According to the information obtained by our portal, the complaint that, as he claimed, was previously sent to FIFA by the president of the Croatian Peasants’ Party (HSS), Mario Karamatić, “did not result in any action within the disciplinary or regulatory bodies of the World Football Federation”.
Karamatić, often with ultra-right views, at the end of April, as he said, asked FIFA to ban the introduction and display of flags with lilies at matches of the national team of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
He claimed that it was “a political and war symbol”, referring to the provisions of FIFA’s disciplinary code, although he was aware that it was the official internationally recognized flag of the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the period from 1992 to 1998.
So, as it was confirmed to us from Zurich, until today, as required by the eventual procedure, “FIFA has not initiated any proceedings against the Football/Football Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (N/FS BiH) in this matter”.
This practically confirmed, if it was ever even questionable, that Bosnia and Herzegovina will fans will also be able to use flags with lilies during the 2026 World Cup, as they have displayed at numerous international matches in previous years.
Let us remind you that after Bosnia and Herzegovina’s historic placement at the World Cup, Karamatić began to challenge the flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina, replaced in 1998 by the current “yellow-blue with white stars” for daily political purposes. His move then caused numerous reactions in the public and political discourse of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Let’s conclude.
In the coming days, fans of the popularly called “Dragons” in stadiums across North America will continue to support the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team with symbols that they consider part of the historical and sporting identity of our country, which they actually are, because today’s state of Bosnia and Herzegovina is, according to the Constitution, the legal successor of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The smell of lilies spreads throughout the World Cup. Just like 12 years ago in Brazil.
Bakir Tiro
(Vijesti.ba)
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