07.09.2026 09:20
The 180th Eternal Derby played between Red Star and Partizan in Serbia was marked by controversial scenes in the stands. Red Star fans prepared a choreography featuring a giant image of Ratko Mladic, who was convicted of the Srebrenica genocide and war crimes, while a minute of silence was held for Mladic before the match as the players were on the field.
In the 8th week of the Serbian Super League, Red Star and Partizan faced each other at the Rajko Mitic Stadium in Belgrade. What happened in the 180th Eternal Derby, followed by about 30 thousand fans, overshadowed the competition on the field.
GIANT RATKO MLADIC CHOREOGRAPHY IN THE STANDS
Before the match, a giant choreography featuring the face of former Bosnian Serb commander Ratko Mladic was unveiled in the north stand of Red Star. A banner dedicated to Mladic was also displayed in the stands, and fans chanted his name.
Mladic had been convicted of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity for crimes committed during the Bosnian War and sentenced to life imprisonment.
MOMENT OF SILENCE WHILE FOOTBALLERS WERE ON THE FIELD
The most striking moment before the match occurred while the players of both teams were on the field. A minute of silence was held for Ratko Mladic.
According to Mondo, after the stadium announcer's words, 'Neka mu je vecna slava,' the players took their positions for the match. Meanwhile, slogans in favor of Mladic rose from the Red Star stands.
UEFA HAD IMPOSED A PENALTY DAYS EARLIER
What happened in the derby came just a few days after Red Star was again penalized by UEFA due to Ratko Mladic.
During the Europa League match against Viktoria Plzen on August 27, Red Star fans chanted Mladic's name, gave military salutes, and displayed a banner with phrases praising him.
Due to these events, UEFA fined Red Star 90 thousand euros. The club was also banned from selling tickets to its fans for its next away match in UEFA competitions. A second away ban was suspended for a two-year probation period.
ALSO SHARED FROM THE CLUB'S OFFICIAL ACCOUNT
In the incident on August 27, images of the banner praising Mladic were also shared from Red Star's official account.
The banner included the phrase 'General, eternal glory and thanks,' and the Srebrenica Memorial Center filed an official complaint with UEFA regarding the matter.
ATTENTION TURNED BACK TO UEFA
After Red Star faced sanctions for the same issue shortly before, the unveiling of the giant Mladic choreography and the moment of silence held for him at the derby raised the question of whether UEFA would impose new sanctions.
RED STAR WON THE DERBY
In the match on the field, Partizan took the lead in the very first minute. However, Red Star made a comeback, winning the match 2-1 and leaving the 180th Eternal Derby victorious.
WHO IS RATKO MLADIC, THE 'BUTCHER OF BOSNIA'?
Ratko Mladic commanded Bosnian Serb forces during the Bosnian War from 1992 to 1995. He was found guilty of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Mladic was convicted for his responsibility in the Srebrenica genocide, where more than 8 thousand Bosniak men and boys were killed in 1995, and for his role in the siege of Sarajevo.
PASSED AWAY ON AUGUST 27
Mladic died on August 27, 2026, at the age of 84, in the hospital of the UN prison in The Hague, where he was serving his life sentence. The moment of silence at the Red Star-Partizan derby was held about 10 days after his death. According to reports in the Serbian press, Mladic's funeral was planned to take place on September 7 at the Topcider Cemetery in Belgrade.