Fans of Belgrade’s Crvena Zvezda insulted Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic on ethnic grounds. Earlier, Crvena Zvezda and Milan fought each other in the Europa League playoffs. Ibra never appeared on the pitch, watching the match from the stands.
Zlatan has been called “balija”, a term used by Serbs to insult Bosnian Muslims. Note that the ex-forward of the Swedish national team is the son of a Bosnian Muslim and a Croat.
Crvena Zvezda has already apologized to Ibrahimovic and promised to find the person who insulted the Milan footballer.
Jarring video of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who is ethnically Bosnian, being harassed and having ethnic slurs spewed at him at the Red Star Belgrade game.
“Balija” is an ethnic slur for Bosniaks that’s been used for years by Serb nationalists especially as one of the biggest insults. pic.twitter.com/W5yB0Xuknn
– Arnesa Buljusmic-Kustura (@Rrrrnessa) February 19, 2021