– Serbia is an important Russian supporter. There are strong cultural and political ties between Serbia and Russia, says Jakub M. Godzimirski to news. He is a researcher at the Norwegian Institute of Foreign Policy (NUPI) and specializes in Russia. It does not surprise him that Røde Stjerne is sponsored by the Russian gas company. When Russia entered Ukraine, Gazprom was removed as UEFA’s sponsor. Serbian Red Star has chosen to stand with its main sponsor. – If it wasn’t for Gazprom, it is not certain that Røde Stjerne would have existed. Those who love Red Star will never forget what Gazprom has done for the club, reported club director Zvezdan Terzic to the Daily Mail in 2022. Intervening after Russia issues Jørn Holm-Hansen is a researcher at Oslo Met in politics and administration in Eastern and Central European countries , with, among other things, Russia as a special field. RESEARCHER: Jørn Holm-Hansen has been researching Russia for a number of years. Photo: Mark Tonkin / news – Gazprom has huge money to spend on sponsorship deals and acquisitions. It may be true that it is a very big financial advantage for Røde Stjerne that they have Gazprom as a sponsor. Purely cynical like that, he says. news has been in contact with Røde Stjerne about their ties to Russia, but they have not responded to news’s inquiries. At the press conference before Wednesday’s second leg against Bodø/Glimt in the playoff for the Champions League, VG asked Røde Stjerne’s coach questions about their main Russian sponsor. Then the club’s press manager intervened: – I am answering this. This is a press conference about a match, we do not comment on that. No comment, said the press manager. Do you think Bodø/Glimt will make it to the Champions League? Yes No I don’t care Show result Played against banned teams The close ties to Russia were clearly visible in the start of the season earlier this year. Then Røde Stjerne played training matches against Sochi and Zenit St. Petersburg, Russian clubs that are banned from European football. In connection with the match against Zenit, the teams posed for a joint team photo in which the flags of Serbia and Russia were joined together with the text: “Together”. Red Star’s supporters had a large banner with the text: “Brothers forever”. Russian flags flew in the stands. “BROTHERS FOREVER”: The Russian flags raged over the stadium, while Red Star’s supporters had a large banner with the text: “Brothers forever”. Photo: Marko Djurica / Reuters The researcher was presented with the team photo and photos from the stands, from the friendly match against Russian Zenit. Holm-Hansen was not surprised to see the two teams standing together for a friendly photo. – I was surprised at how little this war has affected people and how little they were on Ukraine’s side, and how many understood Putin’s justification for this special military operation, which he calls this invasion contrary to international law. – For us, it is a bit distasteful when we know how Putin’s forces are advancing in Ukraine. But he points out that those in Serbia think differently: – In a Serbian context, this is not so strange here. Because in Serbia there are some who have followed Putin’s lead and believe what he says when he claims that it was necessary to take military action against Ukraine to prevent NATO and the US from using Ukraine to attack Russia. – Can’t do anything Uefa says they can’t do anything about the team having a Russian main sponsor. They remind news that they ended their collaboration with the company in 2022, and write: – The clubs themselves are responsible for private contracts with sponsors, Uefa writes in a statement. Photo: Darko Vojinovic / AP It is Uefa who organizes the match, and the Norwegian Football Association says they cannot do anything about the matter: – The NFF stands firmly behind the Norwegian authorities’ and other sports’ line of support for Ukraine in this conflict, but this is a competition in auspices of UEFA. The fact that the opposing team to Bodø/Glimt provides kits with advertising for a Russian company is beyond what we can influence, writes communications manager Yngve Håvik in a text message to news. On your way back? – The Gazprom boss is a close friend of Putin, and has been installed as boss because of his close contact with him, says NUPI researcher Godzimirski. But following the sanctions against Russia, the company has suffered major losses. Godzimirski believes the gas supplier has gone from a market share of 50 per cent to around 20 per cent in Europe. According to Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty, the company is making a new push to enter Europe via the back way. They are on their way to the Hungarian big club Ferencvaros. – They are to be considered an instrument in the Russian toolbox, says Godzimirski. Published 27.08.2024, at 16.28
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Bodø/Glimt’s opponent Røde Stjerne Beograd poses here with the Russian team – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
