FFM registers Vardar–Tikvesh 3:0; Vardar advances after complaint
FFM upheld Vardar's complaint over Okere Ebube Wisdom; the match is recorded 3:0 and Tikvesh is eliminated and fined.
The Football Federation of North Macedonia (FFM) has upheld FK Vardar's complaint about the eligibility of player Okere Ebube Wisdom and officially registered the cup tie Vardar – Tikvesh as a 3:0 forfeit, advancing Vardar to the next round of the 2026/27 Macedonian Cup despite GFK Tikvesh 1930 AD Kavadarci having won 3:1 on the field.
On 4 November 2026 the FFM Competitions Commission reviewed Vardar's protest regarding the alleged improper appearance of Okere Ebube Wisdom for GFK Tikvesh 1930 AD Kavadarci in the round of 16 match of the 2026/27 Cup. The commission announced its ruling in a formal statement.
In its decision the commission stated: "THE COMPLAINT OF FK VARDAR AD SKOPJE IS UPHELD REGARDING THE IMPROPER APPEARANCE OF THE FOOTBALLER OKERE EBUBE WISDOM FOR GFK TIKVESH 1930 AD KAVADARCI, IN THE ROUND OF 16 MATCH OF THE MACEDONIAN CUP FOR THE 2026/27 SEASON, FK VARDAR AD SKOPJE – GFK TIKVESH 1930 AD KAVADARCI."
The ruling cites specific provisions of the FFM regulations and the Cup competition propositions. It records that, "in accordance with Article 99, paragraph 1, indent II and paragraph 4 of the FFM Competition Regulations, and taking into account Article 8 and Article 30, paragraph 2 of the FFM Cup competition propositions for the 2026/27 season, Article 63, paragraph 6 and Article 68 of the FFM Competition Regulations, GFK TIKVESH 1930 AD KAVADARCI IS ELIMINATED FROM THE MACEDONIAN CUP COMPETITION FOR THE 2026/27 SEASON, AND THE MATCH FK VARDAR AD SKOPJE – GFK TIKVESH 1930 AD KAVADARCI IS REGISTERED WITH THE OFFICIAL RESULT OF 3:0 FOR FK VARDAR AD SKOPJE."
Sanction and federation reasoning
The commission also imposed an automatic fine: "GFK TIKVESH 1930 AD KAVADARCI, IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE 41, PARAGRAPH 2, INDENT 2, IS PUNISHED WITH AN AUTOMATIC PENALTY OF 1,000 EUROS, IN DENAR EQUIVALENT ON THE DAY OF PAYMENT." The fine is intended to follow the federation's disciplinary framework.
In its explanation the FFM stressed that the Competitions Commission acts strictly under the federation's regulations and applicable FIFA and UEFA acts, and that decisions are made to protect the integrity of competitions. The federation's statement also noted earlier irregularities in Tikvesh's administration and flagged that a new medical document for Okere was uploaded to the system on 29 October 2026. The FFM added that another player, Andrej Velkov, has a medical note of the same form but without a medical institution stamp, raising concerns about player safety and documentation. The federation said it will not tolerate pressure or attempts to influence its work and will enforce regulations uniformly.
Photo: press material from the event
