Security stepped up for Bosnian World Cup clash
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The battle lines are drawn once more in Sarajevo as Serbs and Bosnians prepare for an showdown, nearly a decade after the end of their bloody, ethnic conflict. Fortunately, this time there is nothing more at stake than qualifying points for football's World Cup.
The battle lines are drawn once more in Sarajevo as Serbs and Bosnians prepare for an showdown, nearly a decade after the end of their bloody, ethnic conflict. Fortunately, this time there is nothing more at stake than qualifying points for football's World Cup.
The Serbia-Montenegro team is coming to town today for the first post-war competitive match between the two countries. Organisers at the Kosevo stadium are taking no chances, though, mounting an unprecedented security operation in a country where bitter ethnic divisions linger between Muslims, Serbs and Croats.
Post-war Bosnia-Herzegovina is divided into a Serb sector and a Muslim-Croat sector and many Bosnian Serbs do not regard Bosnia as their homeland.
Two years ago, Bosnia and Yugoslavia - since re-formed into Serbia-Montenegro - played a friendly match in Sarajevo, which was followed by violent clashes between Bosnia fans and their Yugoslavian counterparts, mostly Bosnian Serbs.
Hundreds of extra police have been drafted in for today's match and a wire-mesh fence has been erected around the pitch. Police have banned anything that can be used as missiles, including cigarette lighters, umbrellas and even mobile phones.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments