Aleksandar Manasiev

Aleksandar Manasiev reports on crime and the judiciary in Macedonia and nearby countries. 

Hooligans in Macedonia stoke the embers of ethnic strife, and – like their Serbian counterparts – often escape punishment.

In a haze of fireworks, smoke and rain, the fans rushed onto the pitch to celebrate the goal that would clinch the league title for Vardar Skopje. Ordinarily, a pitch invasion would have cost their team penalty points – but on the last night of the season, Vardar’s fans had nothing to fear. The stadium echoed to triumphant chants. I joined the fans on the pitch and soon found myself among the players, all swept up in the moment.