UEFA Heavily Punishes Red Star Belgrade Over Mladić Glorification

Red Star Belgrade will face its next European away match without organized support after UEFA imposed a total fine of €98,250 over incidents in Plzeň. The club must also stop selling tickets to its supporters for that match.

The largest penalty, €50,000, concerns a message deemed inappropriate for a sporting event. UEFA added €40,000 for racist and or discriminatory behavior by Red Star supporters, plus €8,250 for misconduct by the team. The decision was published by UEFA’s Disciplinary Committee on Friday.

The case began after Red Star fans used the match against Viktoria Plzeň to praise Ratko Mladić, the former commander of the Army of Republika Srpska. Mladić died on the day of the game and had been sentenced to life in prison for genocide in Srebrenica, crimes against humanity and war crimes. Supporters chanted his name and displayed a banner reading, “General, eternal glory and thanks.”

Red Star itself published a photograph of the banner on its official social media profiles. The Srebrenica Memorial Center then reported the incident to UEFA and called for the club to be expelled from European competitions, arguing that responsibility could not rest solely with part of the fan base after the club promoted the content.

UEFA also activated a suspended away-ticket ban imposed after a Champions League match against Young Boys in Bern on April 9, 2025. Red Star had received a €20,000 fine and a one-match ticket ban, suspended for two years. Because the Plzeň incident occurred during that period, the earlier sanction took effect. A new away-ticket ban was also imposed, but it will remain conditional for two years. Red Star player Osman Bukari received a three-match European suspension after his red card for physically attacking an opposing player.

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General, eternal glory and thanks.