Shkendija Arachinovo replies to FFM statement, accuses federation of one-sided attack

Shkendija Arachinovo issued a new public statement on October 17, 2026 after the Football Federation of North Macedonia (FFM) released its account of incidents that followed the league match against Struga TL. The club rejects what it calls one-sided accusations and criticizes the Federation for using insulting language toward a member club.

In its written reaction, Shkendija Arachinovo says it is particularly concerned that the Federation—an institution that calls for respect and sporting values—described the club’s representatives with terms such as "uncivilized", "indecent" and "sportingly powerless". The club called that choice of words unacceptable for the country’s highest football body.

Shkendija also challenged parts of the Federation’s narrative and asked why the institution labelled the club in such terms. The statement asked rhetorically: "If the club president is not an official person, then who is?" and insisted the team will not bow its head: "Shkendija is not a club that will bow its head!"

The club further alleged a past confrontation involving the president of the Federation. According to Shkendija’s statement, after the Vardar–Shkendija match the Federation president allegedly waited by an exit to fight with the club’s management "allegedly because someone insulted his son." The club said recordings from security cameras exist and demanded: "Publish them! Let the public see who actually behaved in a way that undermines football's dignity!"

Shkendija closed its message with an appeal to remove politics from football and to protect the sporting contest: "Please, leave us to play football. Please, allow us to bring fans back to the stadiums. Please, allow the better team to win, not the winner to be decided by the referee." The club also accused referees of having a direct influence on match results and said the league cannot measure its sporting strength where officials affect outcomes.

Earlier the Football Federation of North Macedonia had accused representatives of Shkendija Arachinovo of entering the referees' dressing room and vulgarly insulting the match officials. The new exchange of statements deepens the public dispute between the club and the Federation ahead of possible further disciplinary steps.

Photo: press material from the event