Hacker attack on Grbavica: Everything reported to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, club president also commented

(Patria) - Two days ago, there was an attack on FK Željezničar's servers and internet banking applications managed by the club.

Numerous financial data were compromised, and the club from Grbavica has therefore filed a report with the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Novo Sarajevo. The investigation is ongoing, and the president of the FK Željezničar Management Board, Samir Cerić, has now commented.

“I would like to believe it is a coincidence, although it is unlikely. In any case, if the hacker attack was indeed aimed at preventing certain processes, that intention will not be fulfilled because there are other ways to conduct an appropriate financial audit, which is necessary to create an environment conducive to potential investors and sponsors. That is the only correct way to finally draw a line and get a completely clear picture of financial transactions over the past years, but also to remove some dilemmas related to the Club, as well as those who benefited from it, if any.

Potential general sponsors with whom I am discussing an annual sponsorship amount of approximately one million euros over the next three years also want to see the Club managed in a correct and transparent manner in order to enter this story at all and make Željo a successful and quality “case study” – from a club facing bankruptcy to a club rising from the ashes. As I stated last night at the Management Board meeting, Željo is rushing towards bankruptcy with incorrect and non-transparent business practices, and any cover-up of the complete truth about past business operations accelerates that process, while Željo faces the fate of some other major clubs in BiH that are on the brink of survival today,” said Cerić, adding.

“An audit, conducted by one of the four reputable auditing firms that have offices in BiH, is the first step towards recovery, because Željo has the potential to be much more than a bottomless pit. No serious investor will enter into investments without a clear picture of previous debts and expenses. I have received so many messages from people who want to help our Club, but most of them are asking for precise financial data, as are potential investors. The Club can function on the current model for some time, the good news is that we are in final negotiations with several respectable companies interested in sponsorship arrangements that we have prepared in the past period. But, the long-term story, with credible investors and projects, begins with clean accounts.

Therefore, no hacker attack, harmful influence of any interest groups, nor any other obstruction will prevent us in this mission. We are Željo's, Željo is ours,” said Samir Cerić, president of the FK Željezničar Management Board, for the official website.