March 23 – Just days before the start of the country’s World Cup qualifying programme, Serbian football has been plunged into scandal and chaos with the resignation of federation president Slavisa Kokeza after he was linked to an organised crime group accused of murder, kidnapping and drug trafficking.
Kokeza, who firmly denies the allegations, said in his resignation letter that he was stepping down to focus on restoring his image and to allow the national team “necessary peace and stability”.
Serbia kicks off its programme against the Republic of Ireland tomorrow.
Kokeza was questioned by Serbian police for several hours last month about his alleged links to the leaders of a Partizan Belgrade supporters’ group who were arrested in January in what officials said was a major crackdown. He was released without charge but intense media and fan pressure have forced him out.
Details from the police investigation leaked to the media included alleged decapitation and torture of rival fans. The group reportedly also had plans to kill populist Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, himself a Red Star Belgrade supporter.
Kokeza, a close ally of Vucic, said linking him to such “brutal” crimes represented “dangerous lies”.
The Serbian FA (FSS) have named Kokeza’s deputy Marko Pantelic as the interim chief until a new one is appointed. In the meantime, Kokeza did not mince his words.
“Treacherous accusations devoid of all truth have been made and in order to allow the national team to prepare in peace for the upcoming games, I have stepped down” he was quoted as saying by the state Tanjug news agency.
“I no longer wish to perform the duty because the slander has affected me as the FSS chief and my mission now is to clear my name and make sure the truth comes out.”
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