The umbrella house of world basketball (FIBA) and the German Basketball Association forbade BiH fans to enter the stands of the Lanxess Arena with the flag of the Republic of BiH with lilies, it was confirmed for Klix.ba at the entrance to the hall in Cologne.
That decision, as confirmed to Klix.ba by the security at the entrance to the hall, was made by FIBA and the German Basketball Association on Monday, and the reason, they told us, is that the mentioned flag is “provocative”.
However, even though at some entrances it is forbidden for fans to enter the hall with the mentioned flag, some fans still passed the controls and brought the flag into the hall. What we noticed, when they pointed it out on the fences, it was immediately removed.
It should also be said that due to the mentioned situation there was complete confusion among the organizers, and some information says that the fans are only prohibited from placing the flag over the brands at the beginning of the stand. However, at the entrance to the hall, a large number of fans had their stops taken away and they were not allowed to bring them into the stands.
It is important to say that this flag was the official state symbol of the internationally recognized Republic of BiH and, among other things, was in use until 1998. It was also flown in front of the UN building in the USA until it was withdrawn from use.
It should be pointed out that officials from the entity of the Republika Srpska oppose this flag and declare it the so-called the war flag used by the Republic of BiH Army, although during the war it was the official flag of the internationally recognized BiH.
We remind you that the match between BiH and France starts at 2:30 p.m., and the next match our players will play tomorrow against Lithuania and it will also be the last duel in the rough phase.
