Serbia considers foreign referee for upcoming Eternal Derby

The Football Association of Serbia is considering the appointment of a foreign referee for the 181st Eternal Derby scheduled for February. This move is being evaluated by the new head of the Referee Commission, Frank de Beker, in response to ongoing controversies regarding domestic officiating.

Following the recent 2-1 victory by Red Star Belgrade over Partizan, tensions have risen regarding refereeing decisions. Partizan officials have expressed dissatisfaction with current officiating and have indicated they will no longer delegate certain referees for their matches. The association aims to mitigate domestic pressure and intense club scrutiny by utilizing an international official, a practice that has occurred twice in the history of the derby.