By Andrew Warshaw
April 1 – European clubs today denounced the decision by FIFA and UEFA to stop Bosnia-Herzegovina playing European club competitions after the country was barred from all international football.
In a rare comment on moves taken by the two governing bodies, the European Club Association (ECA) said it was not fair to victimise their members who had nothing to do with any breach of FIFA statutes.
“The European Club Association does not want to interfere in UEFA’s and FIFA’s political and statutory affairs, but would like to express its dissatisfaction with the fact that Bosnian football clubs are no longer entitled to participate in international club competitions until further notice,” an ECA statement said.
In what has already become a serious issue far removed from the usual reasons FIFA impose sanctions for political interference, ECA chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (pictured) went even further.
“By no means can these clubs be the victim of the political issues within the Federation,” he said.
“The effects of such suspension, imposed for reasons which are not related to clubs’ behaviour, would be detrimental for the clubs and their players.
“The clubs cannot be the victim of the current situation. I hope that the governing bodies will consider this important point.”
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