Macedonia completed its qualifications for the 2014 World Cup in Rio with a dismal display in Serbia, losing 5-1. It wasn't the result that worried Macedonian fans, it was the numerous reports that appear during each qualification stage, year after year, of bad blood among players. The atmosphere in the national team is so bad, one of Macedonia's best players during these qualifications Agim Ibraimi refused to play and asked to be replaced during half time.
Ibraimi today spoke publicly, revealing what we've already known for over a decade! He says Macedonia can never have success at the international stage due to the fact the team is split and operates in Clans.
This is what Ibraimi had to say for the media.
"At first, I would like to apologize to Macedonian fans because I was part of the team who embarrassed them in Jagodina. This needs to be said by everyone who feels Macedonian and I love my country and spend every free moment in Tetovo. However, I am self-critical and can state that only us the players can be blamed for the terrible results during these qualifications, and I will tell you why..."says Ibraimi for Macedonian media.
"The national team has no harmony. We are split in 'clans' and certain players instead of paying attention how they play, they have the audacity to issue orders and hurl insults on the field. This is why I requested that I be subbed for the second half, because certain players like to command others and that's not their job. I have no problem to listen to instructions from the coach. We all know who issues instructions, the coach and the captain. In our team, everyone is a coach, players are insulting each other. There is no harmony, and this was especially evident in the last few matches which we lost. When the success is not there, all problems appear on the surface..." states Ibraimi adding that the insults are not based on any ethnicity.
Cagliari's player decided to protect his colleagues and did not say who are these players, although he requests that each player put an effort to create harmony within the team.
"All of us that play for Macedonia have one desire, to win. Everyone must give their maximum. Everyone must be together and there should not be clans within the team as is the case today. We can't have players in the national team because his friend plays for Macedonia. This is a huge problem for the team and no one can expect prosperity here. I would like to deny certain mediums who reported that I had thrown the Macedonian jersey during half time. This is simply false, though it is correct I asked not to play in the second half. I can't allow certain players to insult me and others during the game. It's not important what they said, all of it will remain on the pitch as it is the only way for us to move forward and build a real national team," stated Ibraimi.
Ibraimi was the best player in the national team in these qualifications, however in the last three games he too disappeared into the abyss, only now to show courage and confirm what most of us already suspected, there is no harmony and there are clans in the team!
