Police and Association Ban Željezničar Fans from Attending Match in Široki Brijeg

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - After the police of the West Herzegovina Canton, the NFSBiH Competition Committee also banned the arrival of Željezničar fans Manijaci today in Široki Brijeg.

- The Competition Committee of the NS/FS BiH, on the recommendation of the Committee for Stadiums and Security, and considering the security situation in BiH, made a decision today in Sarajevo to ban the organized departure of visiting fans to the quarterfinal match of the BiH Cup Široki Brijeg-Željezničar - the statement said.

A group of 50 of the most radical members of the fan group Škripari walked the streets of Široki last night in a cortege with a banner of support for Praljak.

- Rest in peace, General - was written on the banner for the convicted war criminal who, after the verdict, drank poison in the courtroom and killed himself.

Incidentally, the West Herzegovina Canton police decided that Željezničar fans cannot come organized to Pecara today in order to prevent potential problems after the verdict of the Hague Tribunal.

Široki Brijeg has been suspended several times before due to incidents involving its fans. Thus, this club was punished last season after the final match of the BiH Cup for inciting hatred towards other persons based on nationality and religion by fans, chanting fascist slogans, and disparaging the national anthem, so there are reasonable suspicions that a similar scenario could repeat in tomorrow's match.

At that time, Široki Brijeg was punished with seven matches without spectators and a fine of 25,000 KM, but the penalty was reduced to three matches without spectators after an appeal.

The match is scheduled to start at 5 PM.

Incidentally, the Blues will also visit Široki Brijeg on Sunday in the BiH championship, and it is questionable whether Manijaci will be able to attend that match as well.