FIBA Investigates Anti-Albanian Chants at Basketball Match

The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) told Radio Free Europe that it has launched an investigation into anti-Albanian chants that broke out during a basketball match between North Macedonia and Romania over the weekend, CE Report quotes Kosova Press.

“At this stage, we are collecting relevant reports and statements, working closely with the national federations involved, as well as with local authorities and law enforcement,” FIBA told RFE.

According to Albanian politicians in North Macedonia, the crowd at the pre-qualifying match for the 2027 World Cup in Qatar was heard chanting slogans such as:

"The only good Albanian is a dead Albanian"

"Gas chambers for Albanians"

"Clean Macedonia"

FIBA stated it strongly condemns hate speech and all forms of discrimination and racism.

“We actively promote the creation of an inclusive and respectful environment for all players, teams, and fans, as a top priority in sport,” the organization said.

Senior government officials from North Macedonia — where Albanians make up about one-fourth of the country’s 1.8 million people — were present at the match.

The incident has also sparked strong reactions in Kosovo and Albania, countries with predominantly Albanian populations.

North Macedonia’s Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, one of the officials who attended the game, condemned the “nationalist and xenophobic chants” in a statement on August 4, two days after the match.

He said that although he was present at the arena, he “did not notice” the chants, claiming they were made by “a small group of individuals.”

“I want to take this opportunity to join in condemning nationalism and xenophobia — first, for what happened during the basketball match between Macedonia and Romania, and then to send a message to all fan groups: support your teams in a sporting manner and cheer for the national team respectfully,” Mickoski stated.

The opposition Albanian party in North Macedonia, Democratic Union for Integration (DUI), said the event was marked by “anti-Albanian chants, racist slogans, and pure ethnic hate speech against Albanians.”

The Minister of Sports, Borko Ristovski, said the ministry cannot react specifically in this case, “because it does not come from any sports entity – it comes from fans in the stands – and we do not have any authority to act when it concerns fans.”

“Nevertheless, let me take this opportunity to make an appeal: Macedonia does not need such chants, not from one side or the other, from no one, regardless of origin.”

North Macedonia’s Penal Code includes punishments for racist slogans and hate speech in several articles, with Article 319 being the most important, stating that anyone who publicly incites or spreads hatred, division, or intolerance based on race, religion, ethnicity, or nationality, can face 1 to 5 years in prison.

On Monday, the President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, said the anti-Albanian chants heard in Kumanovo were unacceptable and “undermine the spirit of coexistence and mutual respect.”

“Albanians are indigenous to their lands and deserve to be treated with dignity and equality, just like every other community,” Osmani said.

The Kosovo Olympic Committee (KOC) also condemned the incident in a Facebook statement, calling the chants “unacceptable and contrary to the core values of the Olympic movement, which promote respect, equality, and solidarity among peoples.”

“KOC calls on responsible institutions to take concrete measures against hate speech and those responsible for such shameful behavior, which has no place in sports events,” the statement read.

The Speaker of the Albanian Parliament, Elisa Spiropali, also called the chants offensive and unacceptable.

“Hate speech that incites violence, ethnic conflict, and racism has no place in public spaces, especially not in sports — which, by its nature, carries the spirit of unity, cooperation, fair play, and mutual respect,” she said.