Partizan Belgrade, one of the most famous teams in European basketball and coached by the legendary Zeljko Obradovic, has withdrawn from participating in the Serbian league playoffs after altercations between its radicals (throwing objects onto the field, violence in surrounding areas) during the five-game final of the Adriatic League, in which they faced Red Star, also from Belgrade. The last matches ended up being played without an audience.

The title of the statement is very clear: 'Opportunity to expel hooligans from our basketball'. The team from the Serbian capital details in it that the decision not to fight for the local title is a direct consequence of the behavior of its fans.

"They jeopardized the safety of the players and coaches, caused the partial and total closure of the hall, numerous fines and brought great shame to Serbian basketball in front of the whole world."

Partizan fears that both teams will face each other again in the league final and, in order to avoid new clashes between radical groups, they have taught an unprecedented lesson in recent years: "The club does not want to be part of the hooligans' feasts , whether they are Red Star or Partizan fans. We have reasonable doubts that another final between the two teams would become just another arena for the thugs who are destroying our sport, leading us to send another horrible message to the world."

The final between Partizán and Estrella Roja was highly tense as the winner would get a place to play in the Euroleague next season. After a second match in which the Red Star radicals were already fined, it was in the third when the temperature rose excessively. Partizan fans threw lighters, glass bottles and even mobile phones. During the match, with 50 seconds remaining, one of the referees was hit by an object and the match was stopped for 20 minutes. Finally it was the Red Star who took the title.