The Football Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Referees and Refereeing Committee has delivered a response to FK Željezničar Sarajevo’s complaints regarding incidents in the BiH Cup quarterfinal match between FK Sloga Doboj and FK Željezničar Sarajevo, played on March 10 2026 in Doboj.

Below is the response from Darko Čeferin, head of the FFBiH referee organization:

“Dear Sir/Madam,

The Referees and Refereeing Committee of the Football Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina received your letter regarding incidents in the Bosnia and Herzegovina Cup quarterfinal match between FK Sloga Doboj and FK Željezničar Sarajevo, played March 10 2026 in Doboj.

The Committee, in line with its competencies, carried out a comprehensive professional analysis of all situations mentioned, including the decision-making process of the referee team and application of the VAR protocol.

During the penalty kick taken by FK Željezničar Sarajevo player Dženan Šabić, the ball rebounded off the crossbar onto the ground and then back into play. The referees on the field and VAR assessed that the ball had not fully crossed the goal line. After detailed review and analysis of all available camera angles in the VOR room, it was not possible to establish with certainty that the ball did not touch the goal line with any part of its circumference, therefore the goal could not be awarded.

It must be emphasized that in subsequent fact-checking, in accordance with the Laws of the Game and VAR protocol, only official video recordings may be taken into account.

We also analyzed the penalty taken by FK Željezničar Sarajevo player Patrik Gabriel Gatchev, which was saved by FK Sloga Doboj’s goalkeeper. After detailed review of all available cameras, it cannot be confirmed that the goalkeeper, in line with the Laws of the Game, did not have at least part of one foot on the goal line at the moment of the kick. Therefore no infringement occurred, which is consistent with VAR’s conclusion at the time of the kick.”