Red Star Belgrade Fans Riot During Serbian Title Celebration

A boat with players cruises on Sava river as Red Star fans celebrate after their team won the Serbian soccer league title in Belgrade, Serbia, on May 22, 2021. Darko Vojinovic/AP Photo

BELGRADE, Serbia—Several people have been injured and more than 100 Red Star Belgrade fans were arrested after violent clashes during celebrations of the club’s Serbian national league soccer title.

The fans first set off fireworks from the bridges and banks of the Sava River in downtown Belgrade on Saturday evening and then went on a rampage through a Belgrade district where several popular restaurants are located.

Customers ran in panic or locked themselves inside the restaurants as fans demolished chairs and tables, broke windows and clashed with restaurant security guards who the Red Star fans claimed are supporters of the rival Partizan Belgrade club.

Red Star fans celebrate after their team won the Serbian soccer league title in Belgrade, Serbia, on May 22, 2021. Darko Vojinovic/AP Photo

A Serbian police boat cruises on Sava river during Red Star fans celebrate after their team won the Serbian soccer league title in Belgrade, Serbia, on May 22, 2021. Darko Vojinovic/AP Photo

Serbia’s Interior Minister Aleksandar Vulin told the national RTS television station that about 130 mostly Red Star fans were arrested and that several people were injured during the riots.

“This will no longer be tolerated,” Vulin said. “This scum that shamed our city, Red Star and its celebration deserves to be sharply punished.”