We will be champions if they let us
It remains to be seen whether those who, since 2012, have been convincing us that they are destined to be champions, that the fate of the state and the people depends on their survival in power, will be ready to cede that position if they lose in a game that is still played by their rules... Therefore, the sentence from the title, spoken by the famous Hajduk coach Tomislav Ivić more than half a century ago, is more relevant than ever.
TL;DR
- Tomislav Ivić's 1976 quote, "We will be champions if they let us," is deemed highly relevant today.
- The article draws a parallel between alleged favoritism in Yugoslav football in 1976 and the current situation in Serbian football since 2012.
- Crvena zvezda is presented as the favored club since 2017/2018, winning consecutive titles with perceived state assistance.
- Partizan is described as having been nearly destroyed during the same period due to mismanagement.
- The article posits that the systemic favoritism in football reflects broader societal principles, where one group is predetermined to be first.
- A growing opposition movement in society is contrasted with the lack of a clear challenger to the favored football club.
- The core question remains whether the current powers, who claim destiny and national fate depend on them, will yield power if they lose, echoing Ivić's sentiment, but now concerning the state's fate.