Maribor outraged by the decision of the NZS, the Štajerci will file a complaint: Judgment on the waves of populism and as an attempt to meet public demands

Published on 26. February 2024 26. February 2024

Photo: Blaž Weindorfer / Sportida

Maribor received a harsh penalty on Monday from the NZS regarding the events at Fazanerija. The Styrians lost the match against Mura 0-3 and also have to pay a fine of 25,000 euros. In addition, they will have to play four home games in an empty stadium. The question is only when the penalty will take effect. Maribor has announced an appeal; the decision has caused anger in Ljudski vrt.

Statements from NK Maribor:

Although the resolution regarding the responsibility of the home club has not been reached yet, a penalty has already been imposed on NK Maribor on Monday afternoon for the incident in Murska Sobota on February 18, 2024, when both clubs played, with both fan groups present.

The decision we received is a precedent. At no point did we receive or see video or photo material that would serve as evidence. Based on the assumption that an explosive device was thrown from the sector for away fans, it is challenging to shake off the feeling that the “verdict” was written on the waves of populism and an attempt to satisfy the “demands” of the public.

An appeal is possible against the decision within three days of receiving it. NK Maribor will file an appeal within the set deadline. The decision cannot take effect until it is final.

It is worth noting that until the 57th minute, it was a beautiful football celebration in Murska Sobota, interrupted by an unbalanced individual who brought and threw a so-called explosive device into the stadium. One person out of three thousand. However, at that moment, during the game’s progress, and even today, no one knows where this individual was or what his motives were. There are many more possibilities than it seems at first glance. As a club, in our public statement leaving Fazanerija, we condemned the reckless, dangerous act. We regretted the incident, especially realizing that direct participants on the field also suffered injuries. Therefore, we are most pleased that Mura’s players played in the next league match of their team 170 hours after the unpleasant experience. From the first minute.

NK Maribor has been taking the lead in making the most initiatives, actively participating in NZS commissions, encouraging quality projects, and striving to fill the stands of Ljudski vrt and Športni park in Nova Gorica as much as possible. We work the most with the fans. We were the first in many areas that may be taken for granted today by professional sports clubs, but when we introduced them, we were pioneers. Have we ever made a mistake in some cases? Yes, like any socially responsible group active in its efforts in sports, business, or any field. Sometimes we are more successful in our intentions, sometimes less.

However, since we cannot consider the actions in Murska Sobota as the actions of a group but only of an individual, we believe that the decision to punish all spectators by closing Ljudski vrt is too harsh and unacceptable. Just as the realization that the disciplinary judge took the liberty to intervene in the sports, competitive part. From 0:2 to a resolution of 3:0, which directly affects the league standings. At the top and bottom. According to the latest decision, we would already lose five points in the matches of the autumn part against Rogaška and the announced outcome of the unfinished match with Mura, points we would have earned based on our performance on the field or with strict adherence to the rules.

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NK Maribor will continue to strive for communication with the fans; this is our task and the only way things start to change in society. Every previous initiative or activity at various levels of NK Maribor has been carried out with the aim of doing the best for the club and Slovenian football. We have often been criticized, many times matters broke on our backs because NK Maribor has never been a mainstream club in its history, thinking differently than others. In this way, we could never compete in Europe and be the best in Slovenia. What do we have to compare Slovenian clubs, at the forefront with us, with others from our near or far neighborhood? We will survive this last form of “schooling” by the umbrella organization, the third in half a year. Still, we cannot ignore that certain sections of the planned measure are entirely inappropriate.

Despite the fact that until today, the person who destroyed a football event and caused so much harm to both clubs is unknown, someone played with fire. We support the efforts of all institutions to identify and punish the unknown perpetrator. Only such an outcome of the incident will significantly contribute to more considered actions of individuals in the future.

This text was automatically translated using AI.

Author: editorial Football Planet