Ratko Mladić's death sparks football sanctions and diplomatic fallout

Key developments

1. Sep 7, 2026

   UEFA fines Red Star Belgrade €90,000 and bans away-ticket sales after fans chanted Ratko Mladić's name and displayed a banner praising him during a Europa League match.

   6 sources on this →
2. Sep 7, 2026

   EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos cancels her Serbia visit after Mladić's body returns to Belgrade for a state funeral with military honors, warning the glorification threatens Serbia's EU path.

   21 sources on this →
3. Sep 7, 2026

   Ratko Mladić's state-backed funeral in Belgrade draws thousands of mourners and lavish military honors, exposing a stark divide between Serbian reverence and EU condemnation.

   26 sources on this →
4. Sep 8, 2026

   Ratko Mladić, the 'Butcher of Bosnia,' receives a hero's funeral in Serbia, deepening the divide with EU condemnation.

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World

Mladić Funeral Draws EU Condemnation Over Honors

EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos canceled her Serbia visit, citing the glorification of Ratko Mladić after his death as incompatible with the EU path, as his body returned to Belgrade for a state funeral with military honors. Reactions from European officials and neighboring governments condemned the tributes, warning they could derail Serbia’s prospects for EU membership and prompting heightened scrutiny of Belgrade’s handling of Mladić’s funeral.

21 sources

Sports

UEFA Fines Red Star, Bans Away Fans

UEFA fined Red Star Belgrade €90,000 and banned away-ticket sales after supporters chanted Ratko Mladic’s name, saluted, and displayed a banner praising the convicted war criminal during a Europa League playoff defeat to Viktoria Plzeň. The sanctions, tied to racist or discriminatory behavior, reflect a history of disciplinary action against the club over fan conduct surrounding Mladic, who died while serving a life sentence for genocide and other war crimes.