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Scandal after scandal! The second Albanian club withdraws from the competition

2025-05-03 20:43:00, Sport CNA

Elite football in North Macedonia is going through a tense and unusual period, as Albanian club Gostivar has become the second team to officially withdraw from the championship in recent weeks. Following Voska Sport's previous decision to no longer participate in the competition, another Albanian club has now publicly announced its departure from the First League of North Macedonia.

The decision to withdraw was made after the match against Rabotnicki, which was abandoned after the Gostivar team left the field. The Football Federation of North Macedonia has decided to forfeit the match and apply a 9-point penalty to the club in question. According to Gostivar's management, the decision to withdraw from the championship came after the club lost the opportunity to compete for a place in European competitions.

In a long and detailed statement, the club reacted to the sanctions imposed by the FFM, considering them unfair and one-sided. According to the statement, the club was not officially informed about the punishments, except through publications on the Federation's website. Gostivar accused the FFM of systematic persecution and unequal treatment in disciplinary decisions.

Among the points mentioned in the club's official statement are the appointment of referees with questionable histories in club matches, repeated decisions to the detriment of the team, as well as severe punishments for players and technical staff. The club also mentioned incidents of police violence after several matches, including the detention of several foreign footballers at police stations after a match.

A particular case that has received attention is that of footballer Alper Potuk, who has been suspended for two years. According to the club, this decision was made based on information published by the FFM, without taking into account the player's defense statement, in which he claims that his actions were influenced by other people. Gostivar also highlights Potuk's contribution to promoting North Macedonian football in the Turkish market and damages the way his figure has been treated in public.

With the departure of Gostivar and Voska Sport, the number of participating teams in the Macedonian football elite is reduced to 10, which directly affects the progress and integrity of the competition. The withdrawal of two clubs within a short period raises serious concerns about the management of the championship and the involvement of institutions in guaranteeing a fair and transparent competition.

The Federation has not yet given a detailed response to the accusations made by the Gostivar club, while the situation continues to develop in a tense climate. If the phenomenon of withdrawals continues, there is a risk that the structure of the competition will be seriously questioned for the coming seasons, both in terms of sport, as well as organizational and legal aspects.