(ANSAmed) - BELGRADE, JANUARY 26 - After last Tuesday's
incidents in Novi Sad (in the north of Serbia), where groups of
Serbian hooligans attacked Croatian supporters after Croatia
beat the French team in the quarter final of the European
handball cup, tensions are rising in Belgrade over the
semi-final that will be played tomorrow evening between the
national teams of Serbia and Croatia. The two former Yugoslavia
countries are historic rivals, particularly in the world of
sports.
The opposing supporters could clash again, and therefore
Serbia's President Boris Tadic called for cool heads and fair
play today. Concerns about possible clashes increased after this
morning's violence in Novi Sad, where four cars were set on
fire, three of them with Croatian number plats. The cars, the
Tanjug agency reports, were parked under a hotel in a parking
with video surveillance. Two of the cars, according to Serbian
media, were owned by a high official of Croatia's handball
federation and another by a former player of the Croatian team.
The flames also damaged another car, with a Serbian number plate. So far, Serbian chief of police Milorad Veljovic announced, 13 people have been arrested for last Tuesday's incidents.
According to broadcaster B92, there were members of the Serbian ultra-nationalist organisation 'Obraz' among the Serbian hooligans. The organisation has been involved in many violent clashes, including those at Gay Pride in Belgrade in October 2010. In his message broadcast today from Belgrade, President Boris Tadic ''firmly condemned'' the attacks by the hooligans in Novi Sad, calling them ''absolutely unacceptable violence'' and urging those responsible to be found and arrested as soon as possible. ''I ask all supporters of our national team to behave loyally and correctly during tomorrows match against Croatia,'' said Tadic. He added that ''Serbia has always been a hospitable country,'' and must be so tomorrow as well. According to the Serbian media, Croatia has advised Croatian supporters not to go to Belgrade tomorrow because the situation could be dangerous for them.
The European handball championship that is in progress in Serbia (Belgrad, Novi Sad, Nis and Vrsac) will come to a conclusion on Sunday. Tomorrow's other semi-final will be between Spain and Denmark. (ANSAmed)
The flames also damaged another car, with a Serbian number plate. So far, Serbian chief of police Milorad Veljovic announced, 13 people have been arrested for last Tuesday's incidents.
According to broadcaster B92, there were members of the Serbian ultra-nationalist organisation 'Obraz' among the Serbian hooligans. The organisation has been involved in many violent clashes, including those at Gay Pride in Belgrade in October 2010. In his message broadcast today from Belgrade, President Boris Tadic ''firmly condemned'' the attacks by the hooligans in Novi Sad, calling them ''absolutely unacceptable violence'' and urging those responsible to be found and arrested as soon as possible. ''I ask all supporters of our national team to behave loyally and correctly during tomorrows match against Croatia,'' said Tadic. He added that ''Serbia has always been a hospitable country,'' and must be so tomorrow as well. According to the Serbian media, Croatia has advised Croatian supporters not to go to Belgrade tomorrow because the situation could be dangerous for them.
The European handball championship that is in progress in Serbia (Belgrad, Novi Sad, Nis and Vrsac) will come to a conclusion on Sunday. Tomorrow's other semi-final will be between Spain and Denmark. (ANSAmed)
