The Stadiums of Hate: How Serbian Football’s Dark Legacy Endures

The recent display of devotion to Ratko Mladic by Red Star Belgrade’s fans has sent shockwaves through the world of football. This is not an isolated incident, but rather a symptom of a deeper problem that has been festering in Serbian football for decades.

The connection between football hooliganism and nationalism in Serbia dates back to the late 1980s, when Yugoslavia was still intact. Certain elements of the hooligan scene have been exploited as a political “rent-a-mob” by those in power, leading to a toxic brew of hate speech, violence, and nationalist fervor.

The display at Belgrade’s Marakana stadium was not only a nod to Mladic’s legacy but also a stark reminder that football stadiums can become breeding grounds for extremist ideologies. Sports venues have long since ceased to be merely sporting arenas – they’ve become fertile ground for sending messages that can’t be spoken publicly or come wrapped in a softer form.

The sense of impunity surrounding these displays is perhaps most disturbing. Red Star was fined €98,250 by UEFA for their earlier tribute to Mladic, but it’s clear that this hasn’t been enough to deter them or their fans. The minute of silence was a “qualitative shift” – one that marks a new low in the stadium’s history.

The connection between football hooliganism and paramilitary formations is well-established. Red Star’s hardcore fan base, the Delije, has long been associated with Zeljko Raznatovic Arkan, the notorious Serbian paramilitary leader whose unit committed atrocities during the Yugoslav wars. This connection speaks volumes about the dark legacy of Serbian football – one that’s been enabled and perpetuated by those in power.

Incidents like these risk becoming routine, as incidents like these have become deeply ingrained in the heart of society. The recent displays at Marakana are not just an affront to the values of sportsmanship and fair play but also a stark reminder of how easily extremist ideologies can take hold.

UEFA must finally take concrete action to address this issue. Until those in power take responsibility for their actions and work to eradicate this toxic legacy, Serbian football will remain a breeding ground for hate speech and extremism.