“Shame on sports, blow to citizenship”, the reaction of Albanian politicians in North Macedonia to the scandal in Kumanovo

“Shame on sport, blow to citizenship”, the reaction of Albanian politicians in North Macedonia to the scandal in Kumanovo

The Albanian Deputy Prime Minister of North Macedonia, Izet Mexhiti, condemned the offensive language towards Albanians at the basketball game in Kumanovo.

“Offensive words and songs that incite hatred have no place in our state and society.””, he said, adding that these actions constitute a direct attack on coexistence and equality in North Macedonia.

The Mayor of Tetova, Bilall Kasami, also condemned the hate speech.

“What happened in Kumanovo is not just a moment of shame for sport, but a blow to the most fundamental idea of citizenship: that we are different, but equal. Racist insults are not “spontaneous expressions of discontent”, but primitive rages that seek a place in a time that does not belong.”, He said.

VMRO-DPMNE described the calls as prepared by criminal structures that want to cover their activities with hatred and division.

“We condemn every nationalist attack and hate speech, regardless of where they come from. This only suits the political currents and parties that have been sowing policies of hatred against each other for years.”, added Brane Petrushevski, VMRO-DPMNE MP.

The actions were also condemned by the opposition.

“Yesterday in Kumanovo, at a basketball game, in the presence of Prime Minister Mickovski, representatives of VLEN, Minister of Internal Affairs Toshkovski and other government officials, we, Albanians, had our mother, family, origin, tribe and seed cursed in chorus by Macedonian fans.”, said Arben Taravari, Chairman of the Alliance for Albanians.

DUI demands the resignation of two deputy ministers from the ranks of VLEN.

“DUI demands political responsibility for the scandal in Kumanovo: Astrit Iseni and Safije Sadiki Shaini should resign. At the same time, we demand that all Albanian representatives in the Government who are in key executive positions publicly distance themselves from this unacceptable act and raise this issue at the next Government meeting.”.