North Macedonia launches initiative to curb nationalist chants in stadiums

The Ministry of Relations between Communities in North Macedonia has launched an initiative to combat nationalist chants and inter-ethnic hatred in football stadiums. Minister Agon Ferati met with representatives from fan groups, the Football Federation of Macedonia, the Ministry of Sport, and police to address offensive and political chants that incite tension.

Ferati noted that political parties sometimes fuel inter-ethnic hatred, particularly during pre-election periods. The project aims to raise public awareness to prevent citizens from being manipulated by small interest groups. The Minister emphasized that this is a long-term issue requiring sustained, multifaceted efforts rather than a single decision.

Data from the Ministry of Interior shows that for the 2024/2025 football season, the Football Federation of Macedonia reported four penalties for nationalist celebrations and four matches played without spectators. For the period spanning 2025 to April 2026, five penalties for nationalist chants and three matches without spectators have been recorded.