Marko Kešelj, former Crvena Zvezda basketball player and current sports secretary, responded to criticisms from Vladimir Štimac, also a former player of the club. Kešelj highlighted that Štimac’s accusations are aimed at damaging Crvena Zvezda’s reputation following their elimination in the ABA League semifinals. He praised Štimac for showing loyalty to the club but also pointed out his consistent criticism during the club’s difficult times. Kešelj emphasized that Serbian sports have never declined and always had quality players, with problems arising from individual mistakes. This exchange sheds light on tensions within the Serbian sports community and differing perspectives on the state of Crvena Zvezda.
Political Perspectives:
Left: Left-leaning outlets tend to emphasize the solidarity and loyalty within the sports community, highlighting Kešelj’s defense of the club and the importance of unity during challenging times. They may frame Štimac’s criticisms as potentially divisive and stress the resilience of Serbian sports despite setbacks.
Center: Centrist sources report the exchange factually, presenting both Kešelj’s and Štimac’s viewpoints without strong bias. They focus on the sports context, the club’s recent performance, and the internal debates about responsibility and loyalty within Crvena Zvezda.
Right: Right-leaning media might highlight Kešelj’s strong rebuttal as a defense of national pride and the club’s legacy. They may portray Štimac’s criticisms as undermining the team and stress the importance of maintaining respect and support for Serbian sports institutions.