The Montenegro Water Polo and Swimming Federation (VPSCG) released a statement following an incident that occurred near the municipal swimming pool in Podgorica, where members of PVK Budućnost were assaulted.

Budućnost reported yesterday that the attack occurred on Tuesday, after training, when a group of their young members was assaulted by hooligans near the city swimming pools in Podgorica, resulting in serious injuries to one of the players.

Today, the Federation condemned this incident and urged relevant authorities to take action.

“Violence among youth in Montenegro is a significant issue that necessitates immediate and decisive action. Every child deserves a life free from fear and violence. Our society must take all necessary steps to ensure safety for all. It is crucial for us as individuals to assume responsibility and denounce any form of violence, especially among children, to foster a secure and respectful environment for everyone. We condemn all acts of violence and call upon institutions to fulfill their responsibilities and appropriately address violent behaviors in accordance with the law,” stated the VPSCG.

The Ministry of Sports and Youth also released a statement. They noted that the behavior of hooligans in the sports arena over the past few months has escalated to unacceptable levels, creating an unsafe atmosphere for all participants, both on the field and in the stands.

“We strongly denounce the attack on the young water polo player from PVK Budućnost, who also benefits from a scholarship from the Ministry of Sports and Youth,” the statement emphasized.

They further asserted that an attack on any athlete, especially a young member of a national team, is not just a grave form of violence but also an affront to the core principles of sports—fair play, solidarity, and respect.

“The unchecked behavior of hooligans in sports fields has crossed all boundaries and fosters a climate of fear among other match participants, both on and off the field. The Ministry of Sports and Youth condemns this act emphatically and urges the relevant authorities to swiftly identify and penalize the responsible individuals. We fully support our young water polo player and assure that we will take all necessary steps to prevent such occurrences in the future, in collaboration with other pertinent authorities,” the Ministry declared.

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