Red Star Belgrade Fans Spark Outrage With Ratko Mladić Banner at Derby Match
- Japanese national team defender Yuta Nakayama watched from the bench as his new club, Red Star Belgrade, secured a 2–1 victory over Partizan Belgrade.
- Before kickoff in the high-stakes derby, Red Star supporters hoisted a massive tifo.
- During the 1992–1995 Yugoslav Wars, military units commanded by Mladić participated in the systematic murder of non-Serb populations in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Japanese national team defender Yuta Nakayama watched from the bench as his new club, Red Star Belgrade, secured a 2–1 victory over Partizan Belgrade. But the September 6, 2026, match was quickly overshadowed by controversy in the stands.
A Tense Serbian Derby Overshadows Nakayama’s Squad Debut
Before kickoff in the high-stakes derby, Red Star supporters hoisted a massive tifo. The banner honored Ratko Mladić, who died in a United Nations detention facility at the end of August 2026. Mladić had been sentenced to life imprisonment in 2017 for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.
Echoes of the 1992–1995 Yugoslav Wars
During the 1992–1995 Yugoslav Wars, military units commanded by Mladić participated in the systematic murder of non-Serb populations in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Mladić directed the Srebrenica massacre, where 8千人もの男性や少年が殺害された虐殺や, men and boys were killed. He also directed the siege of Sarajevo, which claimed over 1万人以上が犠牲となった首都サラエボの包囲戦を指揮していた lives. Despite these international war crimes convictions, Mladić remains a revered figure among segments of the domestic Serbian population.
Club Social Media Posts Amplify the Backlash
Following the match, Red Star Belgrade’s official social media accounts published footage of the tifo. They also shared videos of both teams observing a moment of silence for Mladić, accompanied by a salute emoji.
The display drew sharp backlash.
UEFA Penalties and Mounting Disciplinary Pressure
This latest incident follows prior disciplinary action by European football authorities over similar fan behavior.
Last month, during a UEFA Europa League playoff match against Czech club Viktoria Plzeň, Red Star supporters displayed banners praising Mladić. Consequently, the Union of European Football Associations fined the Serbian club 9万ユーロ（約1630万円）, as detailed in the coverage.