Fans of the Serbian football club Red Star Belgrade displayed a large tifo depicting Ratko Mladic, a convicted war criminal, shortly before their derby match against rivals Partizan. The display occurred on the eve of Mladic’s funeral in Belgrade. Mladic, who died in prison last month at the age of 84, was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2017 for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia.
Context of Ratko Mladic’s Convictions
Ratko Mladic, often referred to as the ‘Butcher of Bosnia’, was the commander of the Bosnian Serb army. His military leadership was associated with the 1995 Srebrenica massacre, where over 8,000 Muslim men and boys were killed. He was also implicated in the prolonged siege of Sarajevo, the Bosnian capital, and the establishment of concentration camps for non-Serb civilians and enemy soldiers during the Bosnian War.
Club’s Social Media and Fan Actions
Following the tifo display, Red Star Belgrade’s social media channels shared a video that included the tifo and footage of both teams observing a moment of silence. This incident follows previous sanctions against the club due to fan behavior. Earlier in the month, Red Star was fined approximately £77,000 by UEFA after fans displayed a banner honoring Mladic during a Europa League match against Viktoria Plzen. Additionally, the club was prohibited from selling tickets to its supporters for its next away fixture in a UEFA competition, a ban that will be in effect for their upcoming Conference League match against Swiss club Lugano.
Public Homage and Funeral Proceedings
The display and the club’s actions occurred as Serbia defied warnings from the European Union regarding public tributes to Mladic. Thousands of mourners gathered at the Church of St. Luke in Belgrade for his funeral service. Mladic’s body lay in state on the day prior, with many Serbs continuing to view him as a national hero. The funeral service was led by Patriarch Porfirije, the head of the Serbian Orthodox Church. Reports from pro-government media in Serbia indicated that Mladic would receive full military honors at his burial site.
Mladic’s Arrest and Trial
After spending more than a decade in hiding, Ratko Mladic was apprehended in 2011. His trial at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia concluded in 2017 with his conviction and sentencing. His death in prison last month came after he had experienced multiple strokes.
Broader Implications and Reactions
The display of the Mladic tifo has drawn attention to the complex and often controversial legacy of the Bosnian War and its figures within Serbia. While international bodies and many European nations condemned Mladic’s actions and the glorification of war criminals, sentiments within parts of Serbia remain divided. The football club’s actions, particularly in light of previous UEFA sanctions, highlight ongoing tensions between nationalistic sentiments, sporting regulations, and international justice standards. The Serbian government’s stance, allowing public homage and potential military honors despite EU warnings, underscores the differing perspectives on historical figures and wartime events in the region.
Conclusion
The incident involving Red Star Belgrade fans and the tifo of Ratko Mladic serves as a stark reminder of the enduring impact of the Balkan wars and the differing interpretations of history that persist in the region. It also brings into focus the challenges faced by international sporting organizations like UEFA in addressing political displays within the context of professional sports.
