FIBA opens probe after anti-Albanian chants at North Macedonia–Romania game

FIBA (Fédération Internationale de Basketball) has launched an investigation into anti-Albanian chants that reverberated through Kumanovo during North Macedonia’s World Cup pre-qualifier against Romania over the weekend.

Why is this important: Spectators in the second round pre-qualifier hurled slogans like “A good Albanian is a dead Albanian,” “Gas chamber for Albanians” and “Pure Macedonia,” stark reminders of deep ethnic divides in a country where Albanians constitute nearly one third of the 1.8 million population. Such hate speech on a global sporting stage threatens to inflame tensions and tarnish North Macedonia’s multiethnic fabric.

Context: FIBA condemned the incident without reservation. In its statement it insisted that:

“We actively promote the creation of an inclusive and respectful environment for all players, teams and fans, as a core priority in sport.”

However, it took two days for Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski—who attended the match in person—to denounce what he called “nationalist and xenophobic chants,” claiming that he had “not noticed” them at the time and attributing them to “a small group of people.”

He added that he wanted to take this opportunity “to join in condemning nationalism and xenophobia—first for what happened during the basketball game between North Macedonia and Romania, and then to send a message to all fan groups: to support in a sporting manner, to back their team and North Macedonia’s national team.”

The Democratic Union for Integration (BDI), North Macedonia’s principal Albanian party, said that the

“anti-Albanian chants, were pure racist calls and ethnic hate speech against Albanians.”

Under Article 319 of North Macedonia’s Criminal Code, anyone who publicly incites hatred or intolerance on ethnic grounds faces one to five years in prison.

What else: The backlash spread beyond Skopje’s borders. Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani blasted the chants as unacceptable, saying they “undermine the spirit of coexistence and mutual respect,” and adding that “Albanians are an autochthonous people in their lands and deserve to be treated with dignity and equality, just like any other community.”

Kosovo’s Olympic Committee also condemned the outburst on Facebook:

“Such actions are unacceptable and contradict the fundamental values of the Olympic movement, which promote respect, equality and solidarity among peoples. The KOC calls on the responsible institutions to take concrete measures against hate speech and the perpetrators of these punishable behaviors, which have no place in sporting events.”

In Tirana, Parliament Speaker Elisa Spiropali deemed the insults “unacceptable.”

“Hate speech that incites violence, ethnic conflict and racism has no place in any public space, and even less in sport, which at its core carries the spirit of unity, cooperation, fair play and respect for others.”

Next steps: FIBA’s ethics and disciplinary panels will review the game footage, fan footage and federation protocols to determine sanctions—ranging from fines to spectator bans or defaulted results. Domestically, Macedonian authorities face pressure to apply Article 319 against offenders and ensure stadiums remain safe, welcoming venues for all ethnicities.