EVEN IF WE ALL KNEELED WITH TUZLA'S PLAYERS: Football in BiH is dead: The judiciary is silent, referees and officials control the game

Written by: A. Čorbo-Zećo

Memories are still fresh of the match between Sarajevo and Tuzla City at the opening of the 15th round of the Premier League of BiH in 2023, when the guests from Tuzla knelt for the first 90 seconds of the match as a sign of protest against refereeing.

It was a desperate appeal – an attempt to draw attention to a problem that even then threatened to destroy football in BiH. The Sarajevo players, in a spirit of fair play, passed the ball among themselves, but it was clear that a stronger joint reaction from the clubs was missing at the time.

Today, the situation in BiH sports has not been worse since 2011, when, under the patronage of world sports governing bodies, the Normalization Committee was introduced in the Football Association of BiH with the aim of stabilizing the system and introducing professional standards. More than a decade later, it seems we are returning to the same problems – sometimes in an even worse form. Because, realistically, the impression is that FIFA and UEFA do not hold our association to much account today.

The example of the arrest of eight people on suspicion of match-fixing in the First League of the Federation of BiH shows the superficiality and inefficiency of institutions. The media spectacle of the operation quickly faded, there were no results from the investigation, and those responsible remained unpunished. It is clear that the judiciary is not fulfilling its key role, protecting the integrity of sport and the public interest. Wherever you scratch the surface, we encounter the same problem - the BiH judiciary.

An additional layer of the problem is the management of sports institutions. The Football Association of BiH is led by Vico Zeljković, and his position is, among other things, the result of support from Bosniak members within the organization itself. For some petty interests, raise your hand FOR those who are systematically destroying everything for the benefit of one or two clubs from Mostar and Banja Luka. And, of course, never without the Bosniaks. We saw their disunity in the Sarajevo Cantonal Association!

Critics claim that political and internal interests often outweigh the goal of fair and transparent management of sports.

In addition to officials, sports in BiH are strongly influenced by political structures.

The appointment of members of club and association boards is often done along political lines, and key decisions are made taking into account party interests, not the well-being of sports.

This practice creates an atmosphere of non-transparency and enables manipulation, from the allocation of funds and sponsorships to the appointment of coaches and referees.

Politically motivated pressures often prevent effective sanctioning of violations and hinder the normal functioning of leagues and competitions.

In this context, MP of the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH Saša Magazinović raised a parliamentary question addressed to the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council, the Prosecutor's Office of BiH, SIPA, and the Ministry of Civil Affairs of BiH. He is seeking data on how many cases of illegality in sports have been prosecuted in the last five years, with a special focus on influencing the results of sports events and the participation of officials, sports functionaries, and politically connected actors. Magazinović emphasizes that institutions must act – sanction those responsible if irregularities exist, or publicly deny suspicions if they do not.

For decades, sports in BiH have suffered from refereeing errors, the influence of officials, manipulation, and political pressures. The public constantly witnesses scandals, but until institutions show transparency and determination, everything remains on words and promises. Saša Magazinović's initiative represents an attempt to finally break the cycle of irresponsibility, but even that is on weak foundations.

As long as the judiciary continues to act selectively and non-transparently, the integrity of sports, public trust, and the autonomy of sports institutions remain threatened, and irregularities are an everyday occurrence.