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Macedonian President after anti-Albanian calls: Shame falls on all of us

2025-08-05 11:17:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

The President of North Macedonia, Gordana Silanovska-Davkova, said that sports grounds should not be used to spread hate speech and insults.

This reaction by Silanovska-Davkova comes after on August 2 in Kumanovo, during the basketball match between North Macedonia and Romania, there were anti-Albanian chants from fans.

She said that what happened in Kumanovo over the weekend "brings shame upon all of us."

Through a post on Facebook, the Macedonian president said that the numerous reactions to the incident during this sporting event, which was part of the pre-qualifications for the World Cup to be held in Qatar in 2027, are justified.

"Even because of our sports illiteracy, for several times, reactions to the terrible incident at the basketball game in Kumanovo, where some irresponsible fans fired 'hate bullets' at our Albanian fellow citizens - but they hit us all, including ourselves, and we are ashamed," she wrote.

Silanovska-Davkova recalled that in mid-July there had been racist insults towards a football player during a match, adding that the fans did not learn the right lessons from this incident.

"The game is not a life-or-death battle, but a chivalrous duel towards a well-deserved victory, which the audience is expected to applaud, support and encourage - not insult or hurt," she said, adding that everyone should respect their opponent during matches.

"Let me remind you that shame does not fall only on those who hurt with their words, because they affect not only those in the gym, but also those who hear and see them," the Macedonian president added.

She urged sports fans to avoid harsh language.

The Basic Prosecution Office in Kumanovo has launched investigations into the elements of a possible criminal offense, related to calls containing hate speech, following anti-Albanian chants made by unknown persons during the match in Kumanovo.

The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) has also launched an investigation into the incident. The federation told Radio Free Europe on August 4 that it unreservedly and firmly condemns hate speech and any form of discrimination or racist language.

According to Albanian politicians in North Macedonia, chants such as "The good Albanian is the dead Albanian", "Gas chamber for Albanians" and "Clean Macedonia" were heard in the crowd of fans at the second pre-qualifying round match for the World Cup to be held in Qatar in 2027.

The incident has caused numerous reactions in North Macedonia, Kosovo and Albania.

Senior government officials from North Macedonia - where Albanians make up nearly a quarter of the population of 1.8 million - were in the hall during the match. Among them was Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, who two days after the match condemned "nationalist and xenophobic chants".

Meanwhile, the President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, declared that the anti-Albanian chants heard in Kumanovo are unacceptable and "violate the spirit of coexistence and mutual respect."

She demanded that the Macedonian state act and punish those who incite hatred.

The Criminal Code of North Macedonia provides for penalties for racist incitement and hate speech in several articles, the most important of which is Article 319, which stipulates that anyone who publicly incites or spreads hatred, discord or intolerance on racial, religious, ethnic or national grounds is punished with imprisonment from one to five years./ REL