With a 1-0 victory against Struga, the Vardar soccer club has won the First League title. A video on social media has spread showing the players and the club’s CEO, Milenko Nedelkovski, celebrating the title by singing a vulgar song about Bitola and singer Karolina Gocheva, who’s from the city.
Sports Minister Borko Ristovski condemned the “primitivism” of the players and Nedelkovski, calling on them to apologize to the public. The Soccer Federation has said a disciplinary procedure is starting over the matter, adding that a decision will be made on Tuesday.
The Prosecutor’s Office says it will take appropriate action if the Ministry of Interior documents the case and submits a charge, saying the law foresees civil liability for defamation and insult. The Ministry has said that though there is currently no official report regarding the incident, it is taking appropriate measures concerning the videos shared on social media. Nedelkovski voiced a stand on social media.
“First and foremost, on my own behalf, but also on behalf of the club, I apologize to Karolina Gocheva for singing, in a euphoric celebration, a standard yet unfortunately vulgar fan chant. However, from a male perspective, and also keeping Bitola in mind, to whom should we sing such a chant? To [ZNAM MP from Bitola] Vesna Bendevska? Men with refined taste play and work in Vardar”, he said.