FK Partizan grapples with player disputes as juniors reject loan and midfielder sent off in friendly

FK Partizan’s youth policy sparked controversy when coaches Saša Ilić and Marko Jovanović decided to send two highly‑rated 2007‑born juniors, Dušan Makević and Mihailo Radić, to the farm team Teleoptik for first‑team experience. Both players refused to train with Teleoptik, ignored calls from the Teleoptik coach, and only appeared after pressure from club officials, prompting talks about possible fines and disciplinary action.

In a separate incident, Partizan midfielder Aleks Zeković was shown a red card just 180 seconds after entering the second half of a pre‑season friendly against Nafte. The early dismissal raised questions about his prospects for a starting role when the SuperLiga season begins.

Both episodes highlight internal tensions within the Serbian club as it prepares for the upcoming league campaign.