EuroLeague Hits Crvena Zvezda with €8,000 Fine Over Offensive Chants
BELGRADE – EuroLeague Basketball has officially sanctioned Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade with a €8,000 fine following disciplinary incidents during their Round 25 home game against Dubai Basketball.
The penalty, announced on February 4, 2026, stems from offensive chants directed by fans toward the visiting team’s players, specifically targeting Bosnian international Dzanan Musa. The league cited a violation of Article 29.2. f) of the Euroleague Basketball Disciplinary Code, which covers “offensive chants performed by the public.”
The Incident
The chants occurred during Zvezda’s narrow 95–92 victory over the newly formed Dubai franchise last Friday at the Belgrade Arena. Witnesses and match reports indicated that a section of the home crowd engaged in derogatory and nationalist chanting aimed at Musa, who finished the game with 5 points in 22 minutes of play.
This is not the first time the club has faced scrutiny this season. Earlier in January 2026, the club was forced to play with a reduced capacity (80%) against Dubai as a result of a suspended sanction triggered by prior incidents involving referee abuse and object throwing during a game against Valencia.
Pattern of Sanctions
While the €8,000 fine is relatively small compared to some of the club’s past penalties, it adds to a growing list of financial setbacks for the Belgrade giants this season:
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November 2025: €7,000 fine for chants against Panathinaikos.
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December 2025: €8,000 fine and suspended attendance cap for incidents vs. Barcelona.
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January 2026: €25,000 fine and activation of the 80% capacity limit.
Club Standing
Despite the off-court distractions, Crvena Zvezda remains one of the hottest teams in the competition. Coach Giannis Sfairopoulos has led the squad to a five-game winning streak, keeping them firmly in the hunt for a direct Playoff spot (Top 6).
The club has not yet released an official statement regarding the latest fine, though they have historically appealed to fans to support the team “fairly and sportingly” to avoid further stadium closures or heavier financial burdens.
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