September 30 – The president of the Football Federation of North Macedonia (FFM), Muamed Sejdini (pictured), was attacked by three masked men in front of a restaurant in the centre of the North Macedonian capital, Skopje.
Sejdini was attacked leaving the restaurant where he had been meeting with his colleagues from the FFM.
Sejdini was not seriously injured and reported himself to the local police. After the attack, the masked men escaped and have not yet been arrested.
North Macedonia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs confirmed the incident and announced that an investigation is underway.
The FFM strongly condemned the attack and called for a quick resolution of the case. FFM said that they have already informed FIFA and UEFA about the incident.
“The Football Federation of Macedonia strongly condemns the cowardly and shameful attack on our president Muamed Sejdini, who was physically attacked last night in the parking lot of a Skopje restaurant. This act of violence is unacceptable and represents a direct blow to the values of football, sport, and democracy in general,” said the FFM statement.
“We clearly and unequivocally point out that the Football Federation of Macedonia will not allow violence to become a means of influencing or solving any challenge. The election of leaders in the FFM takes place exclusively through legal and democratic procedures, with the votes of the delegates, and not with threats and violence. Those who try to disrupt this process through force should be aware that their actions have already been identified and that we are cooperating with the institutions of justice to fully shed light on this incident.
“We call on the Ministry of Internal Affairs, as well as all competent authorities, to take immediate measures and investigate the case to the end, in order to bring the perpetrators to justice.”
The attack is believed to be related to opposition to Sejdini’s presidency and attempt at intimidating him into standing down.
“The president of FFM remains steadfast in the face of such threats and pressures. They do not weaken his resolve but rather strengthen his commitment to integrity and transparency in sports,” said the statement.
“Muamed Sejdini was elected to this position in a legal way, through the votes of the delegates, and he will finish or continue his mandate only in the same way. Violence will never be the means to determine his presence or departure.”
Contact the writer of this story, Alexander Krassimirov, at moc.l1727667452labto1727667452ofdlr1727667452owedi1727667452sni@o1727667452fni1727667452