Balkans area always was a sort of a hot spot in Europe. Eighty-nine years ago, young Serb terrorist assassinated Austro-Hungarian prince and his wife and thus started the World War One. Twelve years ago, area was washed in blood during nationalist wars in Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo. And now, in already troubled environment, racism rears its ugly face?
On a football match Serbia and Montenegro vs. Wales, in Red Star Stadium in Belgrade, crowd abused three Wales? black players, Danny Gabbidon, Nathan Blake and Robert Earnshaw. Host team won the match, but lost a lot of face because of such behaviour by their supporters. And you should keep in mind that only 15 or 20 years ago University of Belgrade was practically crowded by black students, especially from the so-called ?non-allied countries?.
Wales manager, Mark Hughes was rather embittered in his statements after the match: ?What happened there, and what Danny had to endure just shows what a fine performance he put in. We already had a similar problem, with Jason Brown, during the previous night under ? 21 game, and it just doesn?t feel right. We already put the wheels in motion to complain to FIFA and UEFA.?
He also said: ? My players are very disappointed. They felt that Mark Delaney was fouled in the box when Serbia scored.?
Neven Luledzija,
Paris