Gredić: There is no dialogue between the Association and the clubs

A press conference was held today in the Blue Salon, addressed by the Club President, Almir Gredić, the Club Director, Mirsad Šiljak, and members of the Management Board, Adnan Misimović and Senad Zaimović, reports the Bosnian news agency Patria.

Adnan Misimović commented on the TV rights for matches of the BH Telecom Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

– We do not want to receive directives from the Association on many matters without being able to decide on them. We hope that from next year the conditions for all clubs will be better and that clubs will participate in negotiations. In the first 18 matches, Željezničar is obliged to broadcast six matches, and all of this depends on BH Telecom. As members of the Association, we must respect the statute, and consequently the decisions of the Association, which it makes on our behalf. 40,000 KM is the amount that Telecom provides, while three years ago Željezničar sold its rights for six matches for 60,000 KM. There is an initiative within the Association that clubs that provide the most broadcasts should receive an additional amount – said Adnan Misimović.

President Almir Gredić touched upon the problem faced by the Youth Academy.

– The Youth Academy is a very important factor. Our cadets and juniors were thrown out of the Federal League because some other clubs want to play there. What angered us is that our man went to the FS three times and no one received him. I spoke with the secretary of the Federal Association, but he still hasn't responded. We have A, B, and C categories of juniors. A plays in the Premier League, B in the Federal League, and C in the Cantonal League. We are the only ones thrown out. In our youth academy, 550 children train, and I think they all deserve a chance to compete – said Gredić, adding:

– Last season we had two controversial situations. The first was the match against Sloboda when so-called fans ran onto the field and our four juniors were injured. One ended up in the hospital, and the victory was awarded to Sloboda. You cannot play without police on the field. I wonder how someone in the Association makes such decisions and that this should be systematically resolved. We demand that things be done according to the regulations of the Football Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Another very important thing, the training compensation has been reduced, which benefits intermediaries, not clubs. The registration fee has been reduced from 80 to 30 thousand. A club that has developed players does not have the funds it should have. Željezničar, as the most trophy-winning club, will try to open a dialogue with all clubs to resolve problems with the aim of improving Bosnian sports and Bosnian football.

– Mr. Pilav is the competition director, and that's why we addressed him. Prolić is the secretary for refereeing matters, so these are two institutions. If they do not have the authority, then the question is whether these institutions should even exist. Now we have seen that the most important is the three-member commission, which will sit down, make decisions, and leave. We are faced with a fait accompli; we have no way to sit at the table, see what the problems are, and how we will solve them. That is what Željezničar wants, to establish a dialogue between the Association and the clubs, which currently does not exist. We have sponsors who have 15 times less advertising space than BH Telecom, with whom we are forced to sign a contract – said Gredić.

Journalists were also addressed by Management Board member Senad Zaimović, who spoke about the Club's goals.

– What is clear to the wider public is that Željezničar has embarked on a path of restructuring all its segments. So, our goals are set extremely high, and we will achieve them, that is unquestionable. Our goal is to enter the group stage of a European competition in the next two to three years.

– You know that Barcelona for many years did not want to sell its shirt space. Željo is a club that has existed for almost 100 years, and whoever wants to be on our shirt must earn that place. Željo delivers the largest number of viewers according to BH Telecom statistics, and there is data on how much they earn through Moja TV. This is simply a message from all of us sitting here: Željo will achieve its high-set goals. We want to be champions this year, and we will do everything to be so. Financially, we are in an extremely good position, and we will soon cover all loose ends.

– I also want to point out that we paid bonuses to the players for the victory in Široki Brijeg, even though it was not achieved, because we concluded with our own means that we should have won. We are the main contender for the title of champion of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and we will be champions this year – said Zaimović.