Montenegro sack Ljubisa Tumbakovic for missing Kosovo match

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption, Ljubisa Tumbakovic was appointed Montenegro coach in 2016

Montenegro have sacked their Serbian manager Ljubisa Tumbakovic for refusing to take charge of his side's European Championship qualifier against Kosovo.

Tumbakovic, 66, had from the Serbian authorities in Belgrade, which do not recognise the independence of Kosovo.

Serbia-born players Filip Stojkovic and Mirko Ivanic also pulled out.

Montenegro's football federation (FSCG) called Tumbakovic's decision an "unpleasant surprise".

The Euro 2020 Group A match in Podgorica, which took place behind closed doors as punishment for fans' racist chanting aimed at England players in March, ended 1-1.

Tumbakovic, who won six league title and three domestic cups over two spells with Partizan in his homeland, had been in charge of Montenegro since January 2016.

An FSCG statement added: "The executive board made a unanimous decision to relieve Tumbakovic of his duties after he decided not to be in charge of the national team for the match.

"Apart from being an unpleasant surprise, Tumbakovic's move also constitutes a breach of his professional duties stipulated by his contract."

The federation also said it "regrets" the decisions of Red Star Belgrade duo Stojkovic and Ivanic not to play, blaming "pressure from certain circles".

"Things which have nothing to do with sports have defeated sports and football on this occasion," added the FSCG statement.

Kosovo's population is made up of 90% ethnic Albanians and it declared independence from Serbia in 2008.

It has been recognised by the United States and major European Union (EU) countries.

As well as Serbia, a group of countries including China, Russia and five EU members refuse to recognise Kosovo as an independent nation.

Analysis

Guy de Launey, 大象传媒 Balkans correspondent

The European Championship qualifying tie against Kosovo was something of a hospital pass for the coach and Montenegro's two Serbia-born players.

Kosovo gained membership of football's international governing bodies three years ago, but its independence still isn't recognised by scores of countries.

Kosovo and Serbia are kept apart in qualifying competitions.

But players - and coaches - from the respective diasporas represent national sides across Europe.