A youth football match in Montenegro descended into chaos on March 15, 2024, as violence erupted between players and spectators. The match, part of the Second Youth League, featured teams Stari Aerodrom and Berane and was halted in the 71st minute due to a mass brawl on the pitch.
Tensions escalated when a player from Berane, who had been substituted earlier, re-entered the field after changing clothes. Witnesses reported that he jumped over the barrier and struck a Stari Aerodrom player who was being carried off the field on a stretcher. This incident ignited a widespread melee involving both teams as well as parents in attendance.
Referee Vasilije Ljumović issued a total of ten red cards during the chaos—six to players from Stari Aerodrom and four to players from Berane. The match was called off with a score of 1-0 in favor of the home team. Following the outbreak of violence, the match delegate had to summon the police to restore order.
It is significant to note that the match was not secured by police but rather by a private security service, which failed to prevent the situation from escalating. Following the incident, law enforcement detained all individuals involved in the violence.
As of now, there has been no official comment from the police or the Football Association of Montenegro regarding the incident. The football community is awaiting further developments and potential penalties related to the shocking events at Stari Aerodrom.
The lack of adequate security measures at such events raises serious concerns about player and spectator safety in youth sports, emphasizing the need for improved oversight and regulation to prevent future occurrences.
