FK Željezničar: We will not allow the belittling of the character and work of Ivica Osim

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Football Club Željezničar strongly condemns the attempts by certain media to belittle the greatest legend of BiH football and honorary president of FK Željezničar, Ivica Osim, due to political bickering.

In his rich playing and coaching career, Ivica Osim was an example of a true sportsman and an example of the honest "working class." This is proven by the numerous eulogies we can hear and read every day from the most prominent sports officials of former Yugoslavia, as well as the numerous awards from true sports journalists that Ivica Osim earned playing and coaching football. The writings of certain media, arising from the current political bickering in Sarajevo, are meaningless, and there is no need to write a denial or further clarification on the mentioned case.

Ivica Osim deserves the highest respect of all Bosnians and Herzegovinians; he showed his deeds when it mattered most, including on May 23, 1992, in Belgrade, and certain journalists clearly need to be reminded of what happened in 2011 with BiH football when Ivica Osim, at the head of the Normalization Committee, saved football in BiH from certain extinction.

FK Željezničar will not allow the belittling of the character and work of Ivica Osim, nor the name of the most trophy-winning club in BiH, and will use all legal means to protect its interests and prevent the name of the Club and its legends from being used for political bickering.

"Željo is religion and life. It's not just football, but a way of life and behavior. For me, it's sitting on the bridge at Malta and talking about everything, then going for a drink. Željo has always been considered something that connects wonderful people who help each other. And what more could you ask for?"