Major Incident in Skopje: Fans Unfurl 'Greater Macedonia' Banner Claiming Parts of Serbia and Greece /VIDEO/
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MZT Skopje and Iraklis faced off in the FIBA Europe Cup, the continent's fourth-tier club competition, in a clash that proved just as heated and turbulent in the stands as it was on the court.
The home supporters caused a major incident after MZT fans unveiled a banner featuring a map of so-called "Greater Macedonia". The display depicted regions of Greece—including Chalkidiki—as well as parts of Serbia, Albania, and Bulgaria as North Macedonian territory.
Alongside the map, the Vergina Sun symbol was displayed, accompanied by the slogan: "We will defend your holy name across the world."
Following the incident, Iraklis lodged an official complaint with the match delegate and alerted the Greek Embassy, which promptly took action.
"We emphasized that the content and symbolism of the banner violate both the obligations and the spirit of the Prespa Agreement. As a result, this matter has been formally communicated to the authorities of North Macedonia through appropriate diplomatic channels," the Greek Embassy stated.
It remains to be seen whether MZT will face disciplinary sanctions. Signed in 2018, the Prespa Agreement—under which the country changed its name to North Macedonia—remains a cornerstone for bilateral relations between the two nations.
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