Greece’s embassy in Skopje has lodged a formal protest with North Macedonia’s Foreign Ministry over a banner displayed by MZT Skopje fans showing a “North Macedonia” stretching as far as Thessaloniki and Halkidiki.
The banner was raised during MZT’s basketball game against Greek club Heraklis in Skopje on 6 October, in the qualifiers of the FIBA Europe Cup.
A map reaching Thessaloniki
The banner, which ERT described as nationalist in content, was hung in a central stand of the Jane Sandanski arena. It showed a map on which parts of Greece, including Halkidiki, as well as parts of Serbia, Albania and Bulgaria, appeared as territory of North Macedonia.
Framed by the Vergina Sun, it carried the slogan: “We will defend your sacred name all over the world.”
Embassy cites the Prespa Agreement
Responding to a question from local news website 360 Stepeni, the Greek embassy confirmed it had raised the matter with North Macedonia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“The Embassy raised the issue of the display of the banner, including the fact that, according to information we received, it was displayed in the presence of North Macedonia’s Minister of Sport,” the embassy said.
“We pointed out that the content and symbolism of the banner run contrary to the obligations and the spirit of the Prespa Agreement. The matter was therefore brought to the attention of the authorities of North Macedonia through the appropriate diplomatic channels.”
Heraklis complained before tip-off
Heraklis, the Thessaloniki club nicknamed the “Old Man” (Gireos), lodged an official complaint over the inflammatory banner with the game’s commissioner and informed the Greek embassy in Skopje.
ERT reported on the night of the game that the club’s management had complained to FIBA before tip-off, asking for the banner to be taken down. The club also notified the Greek embassy and complained to North Macedonia’s foreign minister.
That report described the game as the first round of Heraklis’ FIBA Europe Cup campaign.
Source: ERT News
