Vucic reveals what he told Red Star footballer; says fans' tank has nothing to do with Vukovar

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has confirmed that he called Aleksa Vukanovic, a Red Star football player, ahead of the Belgrade club's game against Young Boys.

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Vukanovic went on to score a goal worth Red Star's qualification to this season's Champions League group stage - and Vucic made a comment about this as he was visiting the City Institute for Emergency Medical Services in Belgrade.

"As for Aleksa Vukanovic, I was sitting with the Red Star president, and it occurred to me that he (Vukanovic) could be the crucial player. I said to him, 'son, score a goal", and he said, 'I'll do my best'. I congratulate him once again," said Vucic.

"I see that Krajisniks, Herzegovinians rejoiced, I wish them a lot of luck in the future. Everyone happens to predict something right sometimes, so I did it now and it came true. Sure, (Marko) Marin is the best, he's world class, but I felt Vukanovic could decide."

The now famous and controversial tank, which was set up in front of the stadium's North stand, was also addressed.

"I was surprised to watch the hysterical campaign, 'killers gathered first to celebrate Vukovar', but this had nothing to do with Vukovar, nor did the tank without an engine that had a sealed gun have anything to do with Croatia or a part of the Republic of Serb Krajina in any way. I can't understand why the gloating among the Serbs when someone shows a tractor - should we be happy that they (Croatia) expelled 250,000 people? The symbols are decided on by fans, there are many other ideas that are not a tank, but, they chose a tank."

Ево како смо правили страшно борбено возило на коме су играчи Звезде славили улазак у Лигу Шампиона 🔴⚪️🇷🇸💪 #ucl #fkcz #rsb #delije pic.twitter.com/4bRvcIhR0C— RSB ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@RSBForum) August 28, 2019

Vucic then picked up a paper showing how an armored vehicle, in which the players celebrated with Red Star fans, was made - and then showed German club Borussia Dortmund's tank.

"Само у Србији" 🔴⚪️🇷🇸 pic.twitter.com/nC5nxGJMKc— RSB ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@RSBForum) August 28, 2019

"You saw that CSKA (from Moscow) has a tank, Arsenal (from London) has cannons - the (Red Star) tank did not bother UEFA, they (the fans) were smart enough to go to the UEFA website and see what is allowed. You see, this is a symbol of Borussia Dortmund, a tank with markings reminiscent of past times, in front of the Westfalen (stadium). This can only happen here, to make things harder and go against our own people. Then the campaign - whether it's Vulin's or Stefanovic's fault."

Photo: Tanjug/Dimitrije Goll

"I wasn't lazy so I looked up what the vehicle looked like, it's made of chipboard and plywood, imagine the cretins and the analysts explaining that it was an armored vehicle. They turned a TAM (small truck) into this famous plywood armored vehicle. People, if you are unable to be happy for someone else's success, don't just look for ways of doing something against your own people. And I want to wish Partizan (football club) good luck tonight. Guys, beat those Norwegians tonight, I wish Partizan would win and for us to be like Madrid and London. It's important to our people and  to our clubs -that's it on that subject."

(Telegraf.rs)