Political Controversy Erupts as Serbian Fans Display Anti-Kosovo Flag During Champions League Playoff

– I think it is completely unnecessary and misunderstood by those who do it. It won’t have any effect in Norway. Bodø is so far away from the Balkans… I don’t understand why they do it?

This is what Svein Mønnesland says to NRK. He is an emeritus professor of Slavic languages at the University of Oslo.

He understands little about why some Serbian Red Star supporters wanted to display the flag during the playoff match of the Champions League, which the hosts won 2–1.

– It is perhaps to satisfy something within themselves and show that they are doing something for something they consider important. It is actually completely meaningless, he says.

NRK observed the flag in three locations in the away section for Serbian Red Star at the beginning of the first half.

NRK has been in contact with Bodø/Glimt, who state that UEFA’s match delegate, Michael O’Brian, has noted the matter.

Anti-Kosovo flag

The reason the flag is controversial is that it shows the outline of Serbia’s territories with Kosovo incorporated as part of Serbia. In addition, the words “No surrender” are written on it.

Therefore, it is seen as an anti-Kosovo flag.

– It is a clear controversial political action. If this is prohibited in such contexts, it is something that should be acted upon, says Mønnesland.

NRK has been in contact with UEFA and the supporter organization of Red Star regarding the matter, but they have not responded to our inquiry as of this writing.

The conflict between Serbia and Kosovo has flared up intermittently since Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008.

Serbian authorities have stated that they will never recognize Kosovo as an independent republic.

– The conflict is very complicated, but at the same time very simple. It is simple because Kosovo is an independent state, recognized by over a hundred countries, and in every way a separate state in Europe. But Serbia does not accept that; they believe Kosovo is a part of Serbia and should continue to be so, says Mønnesland, adding:

– It is a completely hopeless political perception. It is completely impossible and unrealistic.

Facts about Kosovo and Serbia

Foto: LOUISA GOULIAMAKI / AFP

Various ethnic groups have fought over Kosovo’s territory since antiquity.

This fertile highland plain has been part of both Rome, Byzantium, and the Ottoman Empire.

During the Middle Ages, Kosovo was where the burgeoning Serbia unfolded, which has given the country the nickname “the cradle of Serbia.”

Serbia and Kosovo were part of Yugoslavia for most of the 20th century.

But when Yugoslavia collapsed in the 1990s, the ethnically Albanian majority in Kosovo was among those calling for independence.

After several years of guerrilla warfare, Serbia and the Kosovo Liberation Army UÇK fought a bloody war from 1998 to 1999. Kosovo had support from Albania, Croatia, and NATO, which carried out a controversial bombing campaign.

Several hundred thousand were displaced internally in Kosovo and across the borders into neighboring countries until a peace agreement was signed in June 1999.

Kosovo was placed under UN and NATO administration, and in 2008 the Republic of Kosovo declared independence.

At the same time, Serbia and many other countries still do not recognize Kosovo’s independence.

Coach tight-lipped about the flags

When NRK asked Red Star coach Vladan Milojevic for a comment about the flags at the press conference after the match, he replied briefly:

– We do not wish to comment on it.

TIGHT-LIPPED: Red Star coach Vladan Milojevic.

Foto: CHRISTOF STACHE / AFP

Bodø/Glimt captain Patrick Berg tells NRK that he did not notice the flags in the away section.

Bodø/Glimt thus defeated Red Star 2–1 in the playoff match for the Champions League.

Odin Bjørtuft and Isak Dybvik Määttä scored the goals for the yellow-clad team, ensuring a 2-0 lead after one hour of play.

It had been an exquisite starting point before the return match in Serbia for Bodø/Glimt, but a quarter of an hour before the end, it became 2–1 when Ognjen Mimovic slid the ball into the goal after a free kick.

The return match will be played in Belgrade on Wednesday, August 28, and the overall winner will advance to the Champions League.

Published

20.08.2024, at 22.11

Updated

21.08.2024, at 07.45