Initiative “World for Bosnia” submits letter of support and new complaints to UEFA on 8 September 2026 over the glorification of Ratko Mladi?

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Initiative “World for Bosnia” submits letter of support and new complaints to UEFA on 8 September 2026 over the glorification of Ratko Mladi?

 

Continuation of the global mobilisation of the Bosnian diaspora from 2022

 

8 September 2026

 

The initiative “World for Bosnia”, which brings together associations of citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the diaspora from 15 European countries, has today submitted a letter of support and new complaints to UEFA regarding the repeated glorification of the convicted war criminal Ratko Mladi? in stadiums. The letter is addressed to the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body and is supported by associations from Australia, Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the World Alliance of the Bosnian Diaspora. Also some ambassadors of Bosnia and Herzegovina expressed their support like ambassador in Czech Republic and honoured consul in Slovakia.

 

This action represents a direct continuation of the initiative “World for Bosnia and Herzegovina”, launched by the Bosnian diaspora in 2022. At that time, on 10 January and 6 March 2022, peace protests were held worldwide in 35 cities – including Brussels, Washington, Vienna, Ottawa, Stockholm, The Hague, Rome, Paris, Turku, Sydney and others. Four years later, the same network of associations is focusing on European football and UEFA’s responsibility for the glorification of war criminals and the denial of genocide in Serbia and the province Republika Srpska in neighbouring Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

 

In the letter, full support is expressed for the letter submitted by the Association of Victims and Witnesses of Genocide and the Association “Mothers of the Srebrenica and Žepa Enclaves” from Sarajevo, and the following is requested:

• revision of the mild sanctions imposed on 4 September 2026 on the clubs FK Borac Banja Luka and FK Crvena zvezda,

 

• robuust sanctions against the Football Association of Serbia and the Serbian national team due to the continuous tolerance of the glorification of Ratko Mladi?,

 

• examination of responsibility for the state reception and funeral of Ratko Mladi? in Serbia on 5–7 September 2026 and possible consequences for Serbian national team;

 

• introduction of clear preventive measures and alignment of regulations with UN General Assembly Resolution 78/282 on the condemnation of the denial of the Srebrenica genocide.

UN member states are obliged to implement this resolution, and the same obligation should apply to UEFA and all national football associations.

 

Particular emphasis is placed on the incident during the Crvena zvezda – Partizan match on 6 September 2026, when the text “Pravac Poto?ari” was displayed at the “Rajko Miti?” stadium – a direct allusion to the beginning of the genocide in Srebrenica and a call for a new one.

 

“Stadiums must not become a platform for the rehabilitation of the perpetrators of genocide. UEFA has both the regulations and the institutional responsibility to prevent this – consistently and without double standards. This is not only a question of football, but a question of the dignity of the victims and the values on which European sport is based,” the letter states.

 

The initiative “World for Bosnia” recalls that the same extremist narratives that glorify Mladi? and Karadži? have already inspired terrorist attacks in Europe and beyond (Breivik, Tarrant), and that they are systematically spreading in stadiums. UEFA has reacted in similar cases (Lazio, Sparta Prague Zenit and others) – the same consistency is now being demanded.

 

The letter is signed by representatives of Bosnian associations from Austria, Belgium, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Croatia, Italy, Luxembourg, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, Sweden and Switzerland, with the support of organisations from Australia, Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina and the World Alliance of the Bosnian Diaspora.

 

Media contact:

Initiative “World for Bosnia”

e-mail: worldforbosnia@gmail.com

 

We are available for additional information and a copy of the letter submitted to UEFA.

 

Boilerplate

The initiative “World for Bosnia” is a continuation of the global mobilisation of the Bosnian diaspora from 2022, when peace protests were held on 10 January and 6 March in 35 cities around the world. Today it brings together associations of citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the diaspora across Europe and beyond, with the aim of protecting the dignity of the victims and preventing the normalisation of genocide in the public space, including sport.