Look: Instead of the open-door bus, Crvena Ziesda players celebrate on tank

Forget the regular bus, with its roof open, in case of parades before fans, as champions or triumphs in something else! Think more of an armoured football team transporter. This was the chosen tool for the football players of Crvena Zvezda (Belgrade) on Tuesday, while celebrating the qualifications in the phase of “Chongs League”.

The party had military grades. Before the match, fans of the Belgrade team had parked a fighter tank outside the “Rejko Mitic”, ahead of the second match of “play-off” with Swiss champions, B SC Young Boys, Transmission Periscope.

Tank, a T-55 produced by the former Soviet Union, was used during the blood war of the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s. It was parked next to the reservoir of Crvena Zvezda's most ardent supporters, known as “Delije”, which can be translated roughly as “>”, who in the past have been involved in violent incidents and have expressed strong nationalist views.

This trick angered neighbouring Croatia, which fought and shed much blood for independence from the former Yugoslavia, led by Serbs. Croatian media called that action “a clear provocation” and asked the leading European football body, UEFA, react.

In Zagreb in 1990, at least 59 fans and 79 policemen were injured, as security forces used rubber sticks and tear gas to prevent violent clashes, inspired by nationalist hatred between Serbian and Croatian fans, ahead of a major match of the Yugoslav football league between Dinamos and Crvena Zvezda. However, Serbian fans said the tank simply symbolizes their slogan “the Machine has started”. Tens of fans were seen lined up to take photos next to him.

One fan, Borislav Danilovic, said: “This tank is a beautiful thing, is a symbol of the Northern Army, our group as fans. This is not a provocation. I was watching on TV, Croats are complaining. Croatians are also complaining on Facebook. Those who don't like us complain, but, for me, it's an excellent”.

Serbian authorities have described the tank as a “suvir”. They said it contains no material that could endanger the public.

Serbian Army officials added that the tank was removed from all key equipment and is now only for museums. Ministry of Defense spokesman Milan Gujanica said: “He has no motor, no transmission, all of his fire and optical equipment has been removed”. /Periscope. com/

The very difference between the Red Star and Belgrade players, as they allied qualms to the Champions left by beating through the streets on a tank. Pic.twitter. com/4 h CEOZbC8

) CANIAL (@MayalMag) August 28, 2019