Football Association of Republika Srpska
Encyclopedia
The Football Association of Republika Srpska (Serbian Cyrillic: Фудбaлcкa Фeдepaциja Peпубликe Cpпcкe) is a football association in the Serb
run entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina
called Republika Srpska
. The association supervises over 300 football clubs of which 3 are women's teams. The referee association has around 1,200 members. There are also around 600 coaches in the association. The association also works with the youth teams in Republika Srpska by giving financial support to established youth systems and by building new football schools. It has all of the jurisdiction in Republika Srpska and works just as any other national association would. However, the association is not recognized by FIFA
or UEFA
and can't compete in international competitions.
. Not many notable events took place during the war and the main goal of the Bosnian Serbs was for their clubs to be able to compete in the First League of FR Yugoslavia or be recognized internationally as an independent association and not a part of Bosnia's in any way. After they failed to join the newly formed Yugoslav League (only formed by clubs from Serbia
and Montenegro
) the association decided that even though they were not recognized they would still continue to boycott Bosnia's League and try to hold out in the hope that they would be able to compete in international competitions as an independent association with no connection to Bosnia and its association. They organised in 1995 a separate league system where all clubs from the territory compete.
After the conflict in Bosnia ended, the Bosnian league was split into three ethnically-based sections. The Football Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina
, NSBiH, created to represent all three organisations, was recognised by the world football governing body FIFA in 1996 and UEFA in 1998. As the Bosniak
football federation was the only one to join, its clubs alone were allowed to compete internationally and contest the newly formed Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina
.
The Herceg-Bosna (Croatian) Football Federation joined up with the Bosniak's to form the Football Association of The Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in April 2000 but the RS league continued to press for separate international recognition. Then finally on May 23, 2002 the Football Association joined in as well and the league now contained teams from the entire country.
"Its in the interest of us all, including our teams," said the former RS Football federation vice president Slobodan Tesić. Indeed, the quality of Bosnian Serb teams has suffered the most during the years of division because of limited competition.
In a joint statement, UEFA and FIFA hailed the latest move as being "for the good of football in Bosnia-Herzegovina and, in particular, for the development of football in Republika Srpska".
which is the top tier is played in a league system where clubs meet all other in two rounds twice, once as hoster another as visitor being at the end the club with the major number of points proclaimed the Champion of Republika Srpska. After 2002 the top clubs of the First league are promoted to the Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Currently, the First League of RS and the Federation of BiH First League form the second national tier of Bosnia and Herzegovina league system. For more information on the current format look into Bosnia's Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina
. Below are the results from the seven seasons before the merge. Note none of these champions where recognized by FIFA or UEFA and could not participate in any European club competitions.
, a domestic league
which forms the second level of football in the country and even a national team that has represented Republika Srpska in less than a handful of occasions.
Serbs
The Serbs are a South Slavic ethnic group of the Balkans and southern Central Europe. Serbs are located mainly in Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and form a sizable minority in Croatia, the Republic of Macedonia and Slovenia. Likewise, Serbs are an officially recognized minority in...
run entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
called Republika Srpska
Republika Srpska
Republika Srpska is one of two main political entities of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the other being the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina...
. The association supervises over 300 football clubs of which 3 are women's teams. The referee association has around 1,200 members. There are also around 600 coaches in the association. The association also works with the youth teams in Republika Srpska by giving financial support to established youth systems and by building new football schools. It has all of the jurisdiction in Republika Srpska and works just as any other national association would. However, the association is not recognized by FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
or UEFA
UEFA
The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer....
and can't compete in international competitions.
Early Role
It was formed on September 5, 1992 by Bosnian Serbs who had declared independence from Bosnia and HerzegovinaBosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
. Not many notable events took place during the war and the main goal of the Bosnian Serbs was for their clubs to be able to compete in the First League of FR Yugoslavia or be recognized internationally as an independent association and not a part of Bosnia's in any way. After they failed to join the newly formed Yugoslav League (only formed by clubs from Serbia
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
and Montenegro
Montenegro
Montenegro Montenegrin: Crna Gora Црна Гора , meaning "Black Mountain") is a country located in Southeastern Europe. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea to the south-west and is bordered by Croatia to the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest, Serbia to the northeast and Albania to the...
) the association decided that even though they were not recognized they would still continue to boycott Bosnia's League and try to hold out in the hope that they would be able to compete in international competitions as an independent association with no connection to Bosnia and its association. They organised in 1995 a separate league system where all clubs from the territory compete.
After the conflict in Bosnia ended, the Bosnian league was split into three ethnically-based sections. The Football Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Football Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina
The Football Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina |football]] in Bosnia and Herzegovina based in Sarajevo.It operates the Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team, the Bosnia and Herzegovina national under-21 football team, Bosnia and Herzegovina...
, NSBiH, created to represent all three organisations, was recognised by the world football governing body FIFA in 1996 and UEFA in 1998. As the Bosniak
Bosniaks
The Bosniaks or Bosniacs are a South Slavic ethnic group, living mainly in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a smaller minority also present in other lands of the Balkan Peninsula especially in Serbia, Montenegro and Croatia...
football federation was the only one to join, its clubs alone were allowed to compete internationally and contest the newly formed Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina
The Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina is the top football league in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is the country's most prestigious level of football competition currently contested by 16 clubs with last two teams relegated at the end of every season....
.
The Herceg-Bosna (Croatian) Football Federation joined up with the Bosniak's to form the Football Association of The Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in April 2000 but the RS league continued to press for separate international recognition. Then finally on May 23, 2002 the Football Association joined in as well and the league now contained teams from the entire country.
"Its in the interest of us all, including our teams," said the former RS Football federation vice president Slobodan Tesić. Indeed, the quality of Bosnian Serb teams has suffered the most during the years of division because of limited competition.
In a joint statement, UEFA and FIFA hailed the latest move as being "for the good of football in Bosnia-Herzegovina and, in particular, for the development of football in Republika Srpska".
Champions
The association had its own Championship since 1995. The First League of the Republika SrpskaFirst League of the Republika Srpska
First League of the Republika Srpska is a second level football competition in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Since there were three different football championships in country, organized on ethnic principles, the "First League of the Republika Srpska" was the top flight in Republika Srpska before 2002....
which is the top tier is played in a league system where clubs meet all other in two rounds twice, once as hoster another as visitor being at the end the club with the major number of points proclaimed the Champion of Republika Srpska. After 2002 the top clubs of the First league are promoted to the Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Currently, the First League of RS and the Federation of BiH First League form the second national tier of Bosnia and Herzegovina league system. For more information on the current format look into Bosnia's Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina
The Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina is the top football league in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is the country's most prestigious level of football competition currently contested by 16 clubs with last two teams relegated at the end of every season....
. Below are the results from the seven seasons before the merge. Note none of these champions where recognized by FIFA or UEFA and could not participate in any European club competitions.
| Season | Champion | Runners Up | Top Goalscorer | Club | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995/96 | FK Boksit Milići FK Boksit Milici FK Boksit is a football club from the town of Milići, in Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina.... |
FK Rudar Prijedor FK Rudar Prijedor FK Rudar is a football club from the city of Prijedor, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The club competes in the Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina as of 2009/2010 season.-Early years:... |
Đurić Majstorović |
FK FK Kozara Gradiška FK Kozara Gradiška FK Kozara is a football club from the town of Gradiška, in northern Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The club played in the Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 2002-03 season. However, ended up being relegated to the First League of the Republika Srpska after this first season... FK Boksit Milići FK Boksit Milici FK Boksit is a football club from the town of Milići, in Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina.... |
16 Goals 16 Goals |
| 1996/97 | FK Rudar Ugljevik FK Rudar Ugljevik FK Rudar is a football club from the town of Ugljevik, in Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The club played in the Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina during the 2004-05 season. However, they were relegated to the First League of the Republika Srpska at the end of the season... |
FK Sloga Trn | Zgonjanin Marić |
FK Sloga Trn FK Glasinac Sokolac FK Glasinac Sokolac FK Glasinac is a football club from the town of Sokolac, in Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is part of a wider sports society named SD Sokolac. The club competes in the Second League of the Republika Srpska, a third-tier competition in Bosnia and Herzegovina... |
14 Goals 14 Goals |
| 1997/98 | FK Rudar Ugljevik FK Rudar Ugljevik FK Rudar is a football club from the town of Ugljevik, in Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The club played in the Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina during the 2004-05 season. However, they were relegated to the First League of the Republika Srpska at the end of the season... |
FK Borac Banja Luka | Bala | FK Rudar Ugljevik FK Rudar Ugljevik FK Rudar is a football club from the town of Ugljevik, in Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The club played in the Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina during the 2004-05 season. However, they were relegated to the First League of the Republika Srpska at the end of the season... |
31 Goals |
| 1998/99 | FK Radnik Bijeljina FK Radnik Bijeljina FK Radnik is a football club playing in the city of Bijeljina, Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The club was relegated from the Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 2006-07 season to First League of the Republika Srpska. The name Radnik means worker.-History:The first football... |
FK Rudar Ugljevik FK Rudar Ugljevik FK Rudar is a football club from the town of Ugljevik, in Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The club played in the Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina during the 2004-05 season. However, they were relegated to the First League of the Republika Srpska at the end of the season... |
Zgonjanin | FK Sloga Trn | 23 Goals |
| 1999/00 | FK Boksit Milići FK Boksit Milici FK Boksit is a football club from the town of Milići, in Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina.... |
FK Rudar Ugljevik FK Rudar Ugljevik FK Rudar is a football club from the town of Ugljevik, in Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The club played in the Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina during the 2004-05 season. However, they were relegated to the First League of the Republika Srpska at the end of the season... |
Zdjelar | FK Sloboda Novi Grad FK Sloboda Novi Grad FK Sloboda is a football club from the town of Novi Grad, Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The club competes in the First League of the Republika Srpska.-External sources:* at Transfermarkt.* at BiHsoccer.... |
29 Goals |
| 2000/01 | FK Borac Banja Luka | FK Sloboda Novi Grad FK Sloboda Novi Grad FK Sloboda is a football club from the town of Novi Grad, Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The club competes in the First League of the Republika Srpska.-External sources:* at Transfermarkt.* at BiHsoccer.... |
Đerić | FK Boksit Milići FK Boksit Milici FK Boksit is a football club from the town of Milići, in Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina.... |
26 Goals |
| 2001/02 | FK Leotar Trebinje FK Leotar Trebinje FK Leotar is a football club from the city of Trebinje, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Founded in 1925 in the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, the club served as a training ground for many players who went on to enjoy notable careers elsewhere... |
FK Kozara Gradiška FK Kozara Gradiška FK Kozara is a football club from the town of Gradiška, in northern Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The club played in the Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 2002-03 season. However, ended up being relegated to the First League of the Republika Srpska after this first season... |
Delibašić Jovanović |
FK Leotar Trebinje FK Leotar Trebinje FK Leotar is a football club from the city of Trebinje, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Founded in 1925 in the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, the club served as a training ground for many players who went on to enjoy notable careers elsewhere... FK Glasinac Sokolac FK Glasinac Sokolac FK Glasinac is a football club from the town of Sokolac, in Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is part of a wider sports society named SD Sokolac. The club competes in the Second League of the Republika Srpska, a third-tier competition in Bosnia and Herzegovina... |
21 Goals 21 Goals |
Current status
The association is still intact and has continued to operate. It still organizes a national cupRepublika Srpska Cup
The Football Cup of Republika Srpska is a knock-out football competition contested annually by clubs from Republika Srpska in the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina and is run by the Football Association of Republika Srpska.-Football Cup Finals of Republika Srpska:- External links :*...
, a domestic league
First League of the Republika Srpska
First League of the Republika Srpska is a second level football competition in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Since there were three different football championships in country, organized on ethnic principles, the "First League of the Republika Srpska" was the top flight in Republika Srpska before 2002....
which forms the second level of football in the country and even a national team that has represented Republika Srpska in less than a handful of occasions.