Crvena Zvezda faces UEFA ban over fan tribute to war criminal

Fans of Serbian football club Crvena Zvezda Belgrade displayed a banner honoring war criminal Ratko Mladić during a Europa League match. The gesture has drawn widespread condemnation and led to calls for the club's expulsion from European competitions.

The incident occurred in Plzeň, where fans unfurled a banner that has been described as a tribute to the convicted war criminal. This act has sparked significant backlash, particularly from the Srebrenica Memorial Center.

Representatives from the Srebrenica Memorial Center have formally petitioned the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). They are demanding that the club be excluded from all European tournaments as a consequence of their supporters' actions.

The display has ignited a negative wave of reactions, highlighting the ongoing sensitivity surrounding wartime atrocities and the individuals associated with them. The situation places UEFA in a position where it must address the fan behavior and its implications for the integrity of the sport.