Serbia's Football Team in Crisis as 25 Players Refuse Call-Up Amidst Unclear Boycott Reasons

Serbia's national football team is in the throes of what is being described as the biggest crisis in its professional history. An astonishing 25 players have refused to join the latest squad, leading to significant defeats in recent friendly matches, including a 0-3 loss to Cape Verde and a 1-5 thrashing by Mexico. The current squad consists mainly of players from younger age groups or the domestic league, individuals who would not typically be considered for the national team under normal circumstances.

Only a handful of players who might have been in coach Veljko Paunović's ideal lineup were present. These included Kosta Nedeljković from Leipzig, Veljko Birmančević from Getafe, and Strahinja Eraković from Red Star Belgrade. The absence of key players has left the team severely weakened and struggling to compete.

The exact reasons behind this mass boycott remain undisclosed, fueling widespread speculation. Some reports suggest it could be related to unpaid bonuses, while others point to a deeper dissatisfaction with the current political climate in Serbia. Many players are reportedly reluctant to represent a country whose current political structure they find embarrassing.

Coach Paunović attempted to address the situation, citing one player's reason for absence. He read out a message from Andrej Ilić, a forward for Union Berlin, stating that Ilić could not attend because his brother was getting married. However, this explanation did little to quell the broader concerns about the team's internal turmoil and the underlying issues affecting player morale and their willingness to represent Serbia.

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Andrej Ilić was, like everyone, on the list of 55 players we make for each gathering. On the wider list. We contacted him. Specifically, he could not come. I don't understand why you are asking about him. He said... I think I have a message, I will read it to you. I don't like doing this. I think there is a reason, that his brother is getting married. Here is the message: I don't think there is a need to come for a visa. I will not be able to attend the next.