Partizan and Crvena Zvezda quarrel over visiting fans' presence / News - Basketnews.com

It's still unclear whether and how many Crvena Zvezda fans will be present in their team's EuroLeague derby against Partizan at Stark Arena.

Credit: ABA League/Dragana Stjepanovic Credit ABA League/Dragana Stjepanovic

AsPartizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade and Crvena Zvezda prepare to do battle on the court in their first-ever EuroLeague clash, the main question before the duel is not who will win, but whether there will be visiting fans in Stark Arena.

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade / Schedule

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade Valencia Basket96-100 Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade Crvena Zvezda mts BelgradeThu19:30 LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade12-1319:00

That's to say Zvezda's fans, considering that Partizan are the hosts. We have witnessed for years that there are no visiting fans in the ABA League derbies, but even that does not prevent incidents before, during, or even after the games. One only needs to recall what happened just ten days ago.

In the recent Crvena Zvezda-Partizan game, the match was interrupted due to thrown objects on the court and insults towards Partizan players. Crvena Zvezda receiveda €7000 fineand will play two upcoming home games with partially closed stands.

It will be the first-ever Belgrade derby in the EuroLeague as Partizan will host Crvena Zvezda on Thursday at 20:30 CET.

However, this time around, the Serbian derby is also a European one, as a EuroLeague delegation will attend it, and no one would like to see any incidents taking place. Partizan head coach Zeljko Obradovic, alongside his players, sent a collective message to the fans asking for their respectful support in the upcoming EuroLeague game vs. Crvena Zvezda.

In a new series of announcements, Zvezda was the first to make a statement today, saying that an agreement was reached after a security meeting to have visiting fans in a special sector.

"It was decided at the meeting that on Thursday evening, special sectors would be provided for all Red Star fans who have tickets for the match. There will also be a special gathering place for Zvezda fans to enter and exit the arena safely. All other details will be announced later.

Points this season

44%73,6Points made:73,6Accuracy:43,8%Place in standings:16Record max:88Record min:56Best scorer:Luca VildozaTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

We ask Crvena Zvezda fans to behave in the spirit of fair play, regardless of all provocations, and thus ensure that this match goes well and without any incidents," the club mentioned on its website.

However, less than an hour later, Partizan announced that no agreement had been reached and that their main rivals were behaving irresponsibly.

"Partizan Mozzart Bet as the organizer of tomorrow's match, did not make any new decision on the arrival of visiting fans. We consider such a move to be irresponsible and unnecessary, as it raises the tension ahead of the match for which we as a club have been campaigning for days for everything to evolve in the best possible order," Partizan claimed.

"We remind you that the visiting team does not participate in the organization of the game, nor does it belong to any authority in charge of safety issues at sports venues. The safety of all participants of the match and of every spectator is Partizan Mozzart Bet's responsibility."

The announcement also makes clear that Partizan's Assembly and Board of Directors will decide on how Crvena Zvezda supporters will be able to stay in the hall. The Serbian club points out that organized fans are still prohibited from entering, while the same goes for any Zvezda emblems that those fans might carry.

The arena director, Goran Grbovic, spoke to Mozzart sport, and had a clear message for fans.

"People, be smart," he pleaded.

"Incidents can be devastating for everyone, especially clubs. The EuroLeague will think carefully about whether to invite Partizan or Zvezda to the competition again, not to mention the licenses. If there's an incident on or off the court, there will be big problems and penalties.

In the Euroleague, not a single chair has ever been broken, not even in Athens in a duel between Panathinaikos and Olympiacos."

Grbovic mentioned an example.

"Let's say fans break 500 chairs on Thursday, and we have a concert on Friday. Then, I had to announce that the capacity has been reduced by 500 seats because those chairs are gone.

Then, the whole damage is borne by Partizan, who may have problems with insurance companies, etc. Big problems can arise. Thursday's game can bring a lot of good, but it can potentially be devastating for many," Grbovic concluded.

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