Recently, the Bosnia and Herzegovina football association scheduled a friendly against Russia scheduled for November. However, with Russia still in the midst of UEFA and FIFA sanctions, there is a strong negative reaction to the match.
In a brief announcement on Friday, N/FSBiH stated that they had accepted an invitation from Russia. The game is scheduled for the day before the World Cup in Qatar. Bosnia and Herzegovina did not qualify, while FIFA suspended Russia from World Cup qualification.
Two of the star players in the Bosnia and Herzegovina squad strongly condemned the decision. “I am against playing this match! I am always and only for peace,” Captain Edin Dzeko told Bosnian news source Klix.
‘The association knows my opinion! Unfortunately, it is not me who makes the decisions who Bosnia and Herzegovina will play, but I have my position which is clear and that does not include playing this game, while innocent people are suffering. I stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine in these difficult times for them.”
The team’s vice-captain, Miralem Pjanic, also expressed his concerns. “The decision is not good. I am speechless,” Pjanic said. “At the National Football Association, they know what I think.”
Bosnia and Herzegovina friendly program with Russia
The outrage went beyond sports over the game’s bizarre scheduling. Benjamina Karić, mayor of Sarajevo, the Bosnian capital, also joined in the frustrations.
Sarajevo, as the city that was besieged by the aggressors for the longest time, and I, as mayor, strongly condemn the Football Association’s decision to play a friendly match with Russia.
If the decision is not changed, the city will stop cooperating with the association, which has been of high quality so far.
— Benjamina Karić (@BenjaminaKaric) September 9, 2022
“Sarajevo as the city that has been under the siege of the aggressors the longest. [I]As Mayor, I strongly condemn the National Football Association’s decision to play a friendly match with Russia,” the Mayor posted on her official Twitter account.
Sarajevo was previously a main focal point of the Bosnian War that lasted from 1992 to 1995.
Russia has been banned from participating in the 2022 World Cup due to the country’s invasion of Ukraine. They have not played an official senior men’s international match in nearly 10 months. Bosnia and Herzegovina, on the other hand, failed to qualify for the next tournament.
