Srebrenica Memorial Center files UEFA complaint over Ratko Mladić display

The Srebrenica Memorial Center has filed a formal complaint with UEFA against the Football Association of Serbia (FSS) over the way it handled the incidents at the 180th Red Star Belgrade–Partizan derby, when an image of Ratko Mladić was displayed in the stands alongside the message “Head to Potočari.”

On September 7, the Memorial Center called on the Football Association of Serbia to initiate disciplinary proceedings over the glorification of a person convicted with final effect of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, as well as over a message directly associated with Srebrenica and Potočari.

The complaint specifically pointed to the FSS’s obligation to address the case under the anti-discrimination provisions of its own disciplinary rules and UEFA standards, CE Report quotes FENA.

However, in a subsequently published decision, the FSS sanctioned Red Star Belgrade for organizational failures, inadequate searches of spectators, a delayed kick-off and the use of pyrotechnics. The published decision contains no indication that the display of Ratko Mladić’s image and the message “Head to Potočari” were treated as a separate disciplinary offence.

The Memorial Center has therefore asked UEFA to examine whether the Football Association of Serbia failed to adequately process a serious case of discriminatory behavior and whether this breached the obligations that the FSS has as a UEFA member association.

The complaint to UEFA also refers to relevant anti-discrimination standards in European football, as well as the Fare Network guide on discriminatory practices, which emphasizes the importance of context, symbols and the glorification of convicted perpetrators when assessing discriminatory messages at stadiums.

The Memorial Center is asking UEFA to obtain the complete case file from the Football Association of Serbia, determine whether the allegations contained in the September 7 complaint were considered at all, and examine any potential responsibility of the FSS, the club and the individuals responsible.

“A sanction for pyrotechnics or organizational failures cannot replace proceedings over the glorification of a person convicted of genocide. We expect UEFA to determine why the message ‘Head to Potočari’ and the glorification of Ratko Mladić did not receive a clear disciplinary response,” the Srebrenica Memorial Center said.

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