Podcast: Identity in Balkan Football

I welcome Belgrade-based Kirsten Schlewitz back onto the podcast for a third time to discuss identity in Balkan football. There is never a dull moment in Balkan football; it’s a febrile crucible where politics and sport regularly collide.

In this podcast, you can look forward to the following:

Introduction: Kirsten discusses how historical tensions manifest in the sport across Serbia, Bosnia, and other parts of the former Yugoslavia.

Historical context of the Balkans: Kirsten outlines the ethnic makeup of the Balkans, explaining how Yugoslavia’s breakup and its impact on countries like Serbia, Bosnia, and Croatia continue to shape regional dynamics today.

Maksimir riot: We discuss this pivotal event in 1990 at a football match between Dinamo Zagreb (Croatia) and Red Star Belgrade (Crvena Zvezda – Serbia). It’s often seen as a flashpoint for the Yugoslav Wars, fuelled by nationalistic tensions between Serbs and Croats.

Ethnic tensions in Football: Football in the Balkans often becomes a battleground for expressing ethnic and nationalistic identities. For instance, during the Yugoslav Wars, fan groups such as Red Star’s Delije were involved in violence and political movements.

Arkan’s influence: Kirsten covers how Zeljko Ražnatović (Arkan), a Serbian warlord and leader of the Delije fan group, exploited football fans for his own agenda during the wars, showing how football was intertwined with violent nationalism.

Drone incident in 2014: Kirsten recalls a controversial event during a Serbia versus Albania match where a drone flew a map of ‘Greater Albania’, leading to a pitch invasion and intensified political tensions between the two countries.

Football as a stage for nationalism: Kirsten discusses how players from Albania and Kosovo use symbols and gestures during matches to express ethnic pride, often provoking reactions from Serbian fans and the media.

The role of the Serbian media: Kirsten highlights the lack of objective reporting in Serbia, where nationalist rhetoric is amplified, and provocative incidents at football matches are used to stir public sentiment against neighbouring countries.

Local rivalries: Domestic football in cities like Mostar, Bosnia, remains deeply divided along ethnic lines, reflecting unresolved tensions from the Yugoslav Wars. The fierce rivalry between clubs like Zrinjski (Croat) and Velež (Bosniak) embody these divisions.

Football and bridge-building: We end on a positive note. Despite the tensions, football also has potential for reconciliation, as seen in youth academies in Bosnia that bring together children from different ethnic backgrounds to foster unity through the sport.

Be sure to check out my other interviews with Kirsten on the Belgrade Derby and the history of SSC Napoli.

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