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Bosnian football fans protest alleged fraud

AFP
October 19, 2006
SARAJEVO (AFP) - Up to 600 fans of Bosnia's national team protested demanding the resignation of the country's football chiefs, including coach Blaz Sliskovic, over alleged fraud.

"Thieves, get out! (Football) federation, get out!" the protestors chanted in front of the office of Bosnia's football federation in downtown Sarajevo after authorities implicated its officials in the scandal.

They called for all of the federation's officials, as well as Sliskovic, be replaced.

"We demand that competent people be appointed in the football federation," said the fans' leader Nizar Aldinavij.

Bosnia is unlikely to qualify for the 2008 European Championships after collecting just four points in as many matches.

Loca authorities have started investigating the football federation for alleged fraud of up to 500,000 euros.

Media here have reported the case concerns a period between 2001 and 2004 when the federation's officials allegedly stole 200,000 euros and avoided paying 300,000 euros in state taxes.

The scandal has shocked fans, who call themselves 'Bosnian Fanaticos,' as the federation was constantly complaining that a lack of finances was the main reason for the squad's poor showing in Euro 2008 qualifiers.

Since the end of Bosnia's 1992-95 war, the country's national team has failed to qualify for either the World Cup or European Championships.