Red Star clash tests chants ban

Supporters chanting political slogans face eviction

By Jacky Rowland in Belgrade

Yugoslavia's ban on chanting political slogans at football matches will be tested on Wednesday when the country's top football club, Red Star Belgrade take on Ukrainian rivals Dynamo Kiev.

The two teams are meeting for a return match in the qualifying round of the European Champions League.

But the game is not just about football. In a country where political repression is on the increase, football matches are one of the few places where people can assemble freely in public.

As a result, games have become a focus for anti-government protests.

The hugely popular Red Star Belgrade will be hoping to beat Dynamo Kiev after holding them to a 0-0 draw in Ukraine two weeks ago.

Police threat

This will be the first major game in Yugoslavia since the football federation introduced a ban on the chanting of political slogans on the terraces.

Slobodan Milosevic wants no trouble in the run-up to elections

Authorities have threatened to use police to empty the stadium if fans chant popular slogans calling for the overthrow of President Slobodan Milosevic.

Last month, police clashed with Red Star fans at a match after the crowds chanted a song telling Mr Milosevic to go and hang himself.

The government in Belgrade is anxious to avoid similar embarrassments at an international match just a few weeks before presidential and parliamentary elections in Yugoslavia.