NK Široki Brijeg announced after yesterday’s incidents at the match against Željezničar, saying that in part of the media space in Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially in Sarajevo, the Club and City of Široki Brijeg were shown inaccurately and one-sidedly.
In the press release, they emphasize that they had no role in the removal requests of the disputed banner and announce a temporary one termination of cooperation with the media who, as they state, published incorrect information. At the same time, the Club claims that through certain media interpretations they tried to market themselves and political insinuations to the detriment of Široki Brijeg, which they resolutely reject.
Press release of NK Široki Brijeg below we transmit in its entirety:
Although NK Široki Brijeg does not want to participate in public fights through press releases, we are obliged to react in order to protect the reputation of the Club and the proud name of the City of Široki Brijeg, which are shown in part of the media space in Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially that based in Sarajevo, on incorrect and one-sided way.
In the match of the 26th round of the WWin League between NK Široki Brijeg and FK Željezničar, unfortunately, the sports content fell into the background due to incidents which have nothing to do with sports and our Club and City, and which largely marked the meeting.
We emphasize how NK Široki Brijeg had no role nor is it related to requests to remove the banner in question in the away fans section. They carried out all related activities exclusively by competent services based on applicable regulations and rules.
NS BiH convened emergency sessions after the match at Pecara
During part of the match, the away fans of Maniacs echoed through the stadium inappropriate, offensive and inflammatory messages addressed to the local audience and the city, including chants such as: “Tread, trample the Ustashes”, “The country of Bosnia”, as well as a series of swear words and insults: “J*bi Široki, Široki maleni”, “J*bemo vam mater up***”, along with other similar shouts: “Tread, step on the Chetniks”,… Such behavior continued continuously and represented serious disruption of the sports environment.
We emphasize how home fans at no time until the break of the match, i.e. until the moment when the visiting fans clashed with the police, did they make any referrals not a single insulting or abusive shout according to the away fans. Disputed exclamations they came from the home stand only as a reaction to repeated and continuous insults by the visiting fans.
Of particular concern is the fact that a significant number of media – of which none were officially accredited for this match – he did not transmit any of the mentioned shouts of the visiting fans, but exclusively i unilaterally reported about the reaction of the domestic audience. In addition, it is important to emphasize that, in addition to the journalists from Široki Brije and Herzegovina, only three media employees of FK Željezničar were properly and officially accredited for the match.
We therefore regret that “hindsight” and “view from a comfortable armchair in Sarajevo”, apparently according to certain directives, they use for making innuendos according to NK Široki Brijeg and the City of Široki Brijeg, showing them in public in a way that suggests fascist or other inappropriate attitudes, which is completely unfounded.
These events only further confirm the earlier knowledge that certain situations were planned and orchestrated in advance with the aim of presenting NK Široki Brijeg and the City of Široki Brijeg in a negative and distorted light.
We are aware of the wider context, and we clearly communicate that anyone’s political aspirations and interests will not break over the backs of NK Široki Brijeg and the proud City of Široki Brijeg. We want to clearly tell the media and the public that attacks and insinuations against NK Široki Brijeg and the City of Široki Brijeg.
We don’t want to fight other people’s battles or be the target of baseless accusations. Široki Brijeg remains an open city, which welcomes every well-intentioned visitor and sports fan.
Due to all of the above, NK Široki Brijeg brought the decision on the temporary suspension of cooperation with the media who have published inaccurate and one-sided information, until they publish public corrections and apologies and do not convey a complete and true account of events with a special emphasis on the behavior of away fans during the game.
Velež is looking for a full report from the match Široki Brijeg – Željezničar
Ultimately, we emphasize that NK Široki Brijeg is completely fulfilled all organizational obligations and ensured a correct and professional reception for FK Željezničar and their fans. On this occasion we thank FK Željezničar on correct and professional cooperation in the organization of the match.
NK Široki Brijeg clearly points out how stands firmly by his fansbut at the same time emphasizes that it does not support or justify any form of inappropriate behavior on sports fields.
We remain firmly committed to promoting sport, mutual respect and responsible behavior at sporting events, and condemn all forms of hate speech and inappropriate behavior – regardless of where it comes fromthe press release concluded.
FK Željezničar: The events in Siroki Brijeg are a serious step backwards, we are asking for an immediate investigation
(www.jabuka.tv)
