In light of recent media reports about Samed Baždar and his national football team status, we’re releasing a statement to clear up any possible misunderstandings fans might have: We’re thrilled to announce that young, highly talented footballer Samed Baždar is part of our national team. From the moment we first expressed interest, Samed clearly and decisively stated his wish to play for the Bosnia and Herzegovina national "A" team. His dedication and desire to represent our country have been resolute from the start, reflecting his genuine loyalty to our team.

A statement from May this year, suggesting that Samed’s national team future might involve another country, was simply a way to secure the necessary calm and buy time to finalize all processes regarding his eligibility for BiH. I want to stress that the way we handled this process was entirely my decision and my responsibility. I felt it was necessary to keep his wishes under wraps so we could complete all required documentation without outside pressure and ensure his smooth transition to our national team. Samed had no influence on this approach; it was solely my choice, guided by the best interests of the team and Samed’s athletic future.

In this context, I also want to extend a sincere apology to his family, who, due to this approach, endured numerous insults, especially from certain portions of the public. We understand this wasn’t an easy period for Samed’s family, but we believe the final outcome is what matters most, both for his athletic future and for the future of our national team.

With this outcome, we’ve achieved another milestone in strengthening our team and building a more competitive prospects for BiH football - an ideal we're all fully committed to, which transcends any of us individually.

We move forward. Here’s to new players, and to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s future.

 

Emir Spahić

Sporting Director