A fan group raises money to support unpaid players from legendary Vardar Skopje in North Macedonia

April 17 - The financial problems facing Vardar Skopje in North Macedonia are getting worse. The team from the capital, which has won more championships than any other, is fighting for a return to the Macedonian first division, and for its survival.

Vardar's players and coaching staff play without pay. The team is currently in second place in the second division and has a real chance of promotion to North Macedonia's elite division. However, the club's management has consistently failed to meet commitments made to players and supporters.

Club president Slobodan Krstevski has promised to pay part of the wages due to players and employees after the game against Gostivar. However, this did not happen and one of the main fan factions of the Vardar Komiti team took matters into their own hands, raising funds to give players as token bonuses before Easter.

"After the game against Gostivar, we found out that the club's 'director', Slobodan Krstevski, did not pay the minimum funds promised to the players. We will not comment on the man who betrayed our trust and that of players. It does not deserve to be commented on.

"We just want to inform the public that we have decided on the eve of the biggest Christian holiday, Easter, to give symbolic financial aid to all football players and technical staff. We know that this is not is not enough, that they deserve so much more, but it is a heartfelt gesture that clearly shows that their pain is also our pain,” a statement from Vardar Komiti said.

"At the same time, we want to inform the public that before the start of the second half of the season, we have helped financially and contributed to the continued functioning of the club. We are constantly helping in all segments, from the purchase from medicines to the supply of pitches, for all categories of football players, including the overall organization of all matches in progress.We do all this so that our footballers, heroes, can have decent playing conditions!

"Finally, we are grateful to the thousands of fans who recognized our struggle, who were in and around the Madžari stadium yesterday. The fight for Vardar is a fight for Macedonia. Vardar is a national club, was and will remain so. It cannot be destroyed! The fight continues."

Contact the author of this story, Aleksander Krassimirov, at moc.l1681779514labto1681779514ofdlr1681779514owedi1681779514sni@o1681779514fni1681779514