Monday, November 18

President of the Serbian Football Federation resigns after ties to organized crime

Dimite el presidente de la Federación de Fútbol de Serbia tras vinculaciones con crimen organizado

Kokeza was since 2016 in command of the federation.

Photo: Dean Mouhtaropoulos / Getty Images

Today the resignation of the president of the Football Federation of Serbia (FSS) was announced. Slavisa Kokeza resigned from his post after being questioned by the police and charged as suspected of having ties to the organized crime.

Kokeza was interrogated at the end of February for several hours, in which he was accused of maintaining ties with Partizan fans, fans who had been arrested and accused of murders, drug trafficking and other crimes .

Since May 2016, Slavisa was in command of the Serbian federation and, despite to which he denies the accusations against him, has explained that he preferred to step aside to “ provide the necessary peace to the national team ”Before the close qualifying matches for the World Cup in 2022 in Qatar.

In a letter released by The Serbian press, Kokeza comments that he prefers to focus and dedicate himself to “a new struggle”, which is linked to n this incriminating process. The now former president of the Serbian Football Federation, assures that he will do everything possible to “deny the attacks” against his person and his name.

The FSS has announced that the former footballer and current vice president Marko Pantelic will act as interim president until the appointment of the new person in charge.

The Serbian press reported this Wednesday that the FSS will hold a session within 15 days to approve the resignation of Kokeza and determine the date of appointment of its new president.

The Serbian team will dispute, in the coming days, its pass to the Qatar World Cup 2022. The Serbs are in group A together with the national teams of Azerbaijan, Luxembourg Portugal and Ireland.