Referendum in Macedonia, football fans' impact on it

The agreement reached between the governments of Greece and Macedonia on the appointment of Republic of Northern Macedonia also fell by popular votes, as the law that was passed by parliament was also rejected by President George Ivanov.

Recent reports show the impact of football fans about the referendum -- most precisely Vardar and PAOK -- broadcast Periscopi.

Following the break from the former Yugoslavia, the neighbouring state bore the name Macedonia, a fact strongly rejected by Greece, whose nationalist circles claim that this name belongs to Greek culture and heritage and cannot be used by another state. Opposition that has so far halted Macedonia's accession to NATO and launching procedures for approaching the European Union.

After numerous dialogues, an agreement on the new name, Republic of Northern Macedonia has been reached between the two governments. Western countries are in charge of it, and Albanian parties in Macedonia are also in the bloc. Against is President Ivanov and Russia's embassy in Skopje. Name approval is seen as Macedonia's approach to the EU, while the deadlock would boost Russian influence in the region.

Football, or more precisely, is involved in the fan group organised in Skopje and Thessaloniki. According to an article written in recent days by journalist James Montague, a popular name of the football world in Greece has financed Vardar fans, namely, the “Komitts” to organise and protest the change of name.

Vardar's fans consider changing the name as treason and have sometimes protested the two governments' agreement. Also in Thessaloniki, northern Greece, the protests have been massive. For them, the name Macedonia is only of Greek culture and opposed to its use by another state. At the top of the protests, fans of PAOK.

The name behind the funding of two fans is Ivan Ignatyevich Savvidis, president of PAOK Thessaloniki. Made famous last season when he entered the field with pistol in his belt to challenge the judge's decisions during a match against AEK, Savvidis was born in Georgia when the latter was part of the Soviet Union. After the break-up became successful in the tobacco trade, and as part of the party United Russia (near Putin) was also deputy in the Russian Parliament. Until 2012, when she decided to return to her country of origin, Greece.

Ivan Savvidis bought Thessaloniki port and became owner of PAOK, quickly becoming a local hero in the northern city of Greece. For the chronicle, it became familiar with the pistol episode last season, meanwhile, it is now referred to as the sponsor of protests against the name deal.

Vardar's owner is also Russian, named Sergey Samsonenko, and comes from the town of Rostov, where Savvidis became rich. Both have refused to talk to journalist Montague, while the Macedonian club's spokesman denies having links between the two businessmen and the typhogroup “Comitts”. /Periscopi/