Sarajevo’s soccer players were supposed to play with the “Flower of Srebrenica” on their chests in the match of the first preliminary round of the Conference League against Aktobe today, but the governing body of European football (UEFA) ordered that it be covered.
FC Sarajevo wanted to display the “Flower of Srebrenica” symbol on their jerseys in memory of the victims of the genocide in Srebrenica. The jersey was also accepted by the Football Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and copies were printed three days earlier and before departure to Kazakhstan.
However, UEFA ordered that this symbol of the suffering of the people of Srebrenica during the aggression against Bosnia and Herzegovina must be covered and that the player can use black bands.
For the sake of clarification, Sarajevo applied in time to wear this important symbol on the jersey, and UEFA’s confirmation of the application is seen as approval. However, three days before the match, the umbrella house of European football changed its decision and ordered that the Flower of Srebrenica be covered.
The text of the statement from FC Sarajevo is transmitted in its entirety:
“Acknowledging the fact that the Conference League match against Aktobe is scheduled for July 11, FK Sarajevo planned to display the “Flower of Srebrenica” symbol on the jerseys in memory of the victims of the genocide in Srebrenica.
In accordance with UEFA rules, the appearance of the jersey was accepted by the Football Association of BiH, which officially reported such jersey to UEFA. In addition, on June 25, FK Sarajevo sent a special request to UEFA to allow us to use this jersey. Three days before the match, UEFA received an official response to our request, stating that we do not have permission to add this symbol to the jersey, and that the players can use black armbands. Since the jerseys were already prepared at that moment, the club informed UEFA about this, who ordered that the printed symbol be “covered”.
FC Sarajevo believes that the decision to play the match with this emblem on the jersey is in line with the broader goals of promoting human rights and respect for victims of crime. The flower of Srebrenica embodies the principles of humanity, respect and collective memory for the victims of genocide.
Allowing our team to wear this emblem would be a gesture of solidarity with the victims of genocide and a message that such tragedies should never be forgotten, but also not repeated.
FC Sarajevo remains faithful to the memory of the victims of the genocide in Srebrenica. Never forget Srebrenica”, they said.
As a reminder, the Bordeaux team is playing an away game against Aktobe in the first preliminary round of the Conference League today from 5 p.m. The duel is played in the Kazakh city of the same name, and the second leg is scheduled for seven days in Sarajevo.
