June 8 – The North Macedonian FA (FFM) has issued a series of sanctions against several top-flight clubs following recent incidents, with FC Shkendija facing the most severe.
The penalties cover multiple infractions during the Macedonian Cup final against FC Sileks, as well as previous violations. FC Sileks won the final 1-0.
The penalties include:
– €15,000 fine for the use of pyrotechnics during the Macedonian Cup final.
– €10,000 fine for nationalistic chanting and slogans containing offensive slurs on a national basis.
– €20,000 fine for displaying a banner with Nazi content (an offense for which they have already been sanctioned by UEFA).
– €30,000 fine and expulsion from the 2026/27 Macedonian Cup for refusing to accept their medals during the official award ceremony, alongside degrading and disrespectful behaviour toward match officials and the opposing team.
– €30,000 fine and a four-match home stadium ban for spectators due to disrespecting the national anthem, which included booing and discriminatory behaviour during the Cup final.
Following the sanctions FC Shkendija’s club sponsor, Ecolog International, issued a fierce response, calling the FFM’s ruling “scandalous” and demanding an urgent revision.
The club warned that if the FFM does not retract its decisions, that Ecolog will consider withdrawing entirely from Macedonian football.
In an official statement, the club emphasised Shkendija’s financial stability, professionalism, and its contribution to the growth of domestic football. The club highlighted that their European campaigns have single-handedly raised the league’s coefficient, directly benefiting all local clubs by securing an additional European spot for next season.
“It is unacceptable that a serious project is damaged by decisions made behind closed doors, and that our contribution is rewarded with deliberate blows. This approach forces us to examine the option of withdrawing from the club and from football in North Macedonia,” said a club statement.
A day after FC Shkendija’s statement, the Football Federation of Macedonia (FFM) issued a firm rebuttal, dismissing the club’s threats as blackmail and reaffirming that financial power will not buy immunity from disciplinary actions. FFM stated that no amount of blackmail, pressure, or threats will shake its resolve to end crowd trouble.
The federation reminded Shkendija that their European performances and financial rewards are a direct result of competing within the Macedonian football system.
FFM pointed out the hypocrisy in Shkendija questioning the federation’s leadership now, given that under the same management last season, the club won the championship title and achieved historic European results. “If the system was fair then, it cannot be problematic now just because a decision doesn’t suit them,” the Federation said.
Addressing the club’s arrogance and constant references to its sponsor’s financial power, FFM noted that the size of a club is proven through dignity and responsibility, not public statements. FFM explicitly stated: “The era when someone could believe that their position, influence, or financial support secured them different treatment is over. There are no untouchables in Macedonian football.”
Regarding the sponsor’s threat to withdraw, FFM said that it respects this as a business choice, but made it clear that such messages will never influence disciplinary rulings.
Contact the writer of this story, Aleksander Krassimirov, at [email protected]