Following NK Siroki Brijeg's statements after the championship match between Siroki Brijeg and Zrinjski on March 6th, FFBIH would like to inform the public about the following facts:
Extraordinary football match was turned into something completely opposite thanks to NK Siroki Brijeg's allegations and slanders aimed at discrediting referees, president Begic, vice president Beus, as well as referee committee members Prolic, Hasanbegovic and Markotic. It was especially unreasonable and rude to involve FFBIH president and vice president in this matter as they have nothing to do with this.
It's a fact that match was played on a rough terrain, however despite that, players gave their best and in the end head referee called for two penalty kicks, one for each team. The pace of the match was hectic, unpredictable, and definitely not staged. Referee mistakes are known to happen, even during the most important football events such as UEFA Champions League of FIFA World Cup. They also happened before in our own Premier League, but NK Siroki Brijeg chose to remain silent because they have played out in their favor back then.
FFBIH referees committee is responsible to analyze and treat each referee mistake, impartially and without governing body's influence. Each club, including NK Siroki Brijeg must respect the independence of referee organization and trust its assessments if Premier League regularity is to be maintained. FFBIH officials are not involved in referees' jobs, don't perform penalty kicks or decide the outcome of the game. That's up to the players on field.
After considering all the facts and circumstances, FFBIH referees committee will have the final opinion of the said match very soon, and will inform the public accordingly. This is the one and only field where this "administrative" game should be played.
Aware of the situation and the risks that league shortening will bring, FFBIH will not succumb to pressure coming from any football club and/or its individuals. On the contrary, there will be appropriate legal and disciplinary response for all unjustified and unfounded allegations against those responsible. They will have to prove their claims, which are, as usual, based on random observations and allegations, that's merely a cover for their own failures and weaknesses, but all on account of deliberate undermining the dignity of Football Federation and and its leadership.
