A former Premier League captain has been banished from his country’s national team and has been slammed for holding the international squad ‘hostage’ in recent months.
Sheffield United defender Anel Ahmedhodzic was born in Sweden to Bosnian parents and has previously made 24 appearances for the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team, but won’t represent the country again.
An ongoing dispute between the 25-year-old and the national team has now reached boiling point after the player deciding to reject a recent call-up claiming there is ‘no longer any reason for him to come and play’.
Now the Bosnian FA have notified Ahmedhodzic that he will never be selected for international duty again after making the team ‘suffer’.
The centre-back whom previously scored two goals in 31 appearances during Sheffield United’s solo season back in the English top-flight last term has also cut ties with his father.
A former Premier League star has been banished from his country’s national team
Sheffield United defender Anel Ahmedhodzic (left) was born in Sweden to Bosnian parents and has previously made 24 appearances for the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team
Ahmedhodzic alleges that his father has done ‘horrible things to people I love’ and claimed he had reluctantly taken the drastic step after his dad Mirsad bizarrely alleged that his son’s wife Marijana had cast ‘black magic’ on him.
Slamming the Championship star’s refusal to play in the international set-up, the Bosnia and Herzegovina FA issued a furious statement confirming their intentions.
‘An invitation to the national team of a country is a noble act. The crown of many years of hard work and sacrifice, the dream of every player who wants to achieve a respectable football career,’ the statement read.
‘But also the dream of every boy and girl in love with a magic ball and the most important secondary thing in the world. Experiencing just the call is an incredible feeling. And just running out in your favourite jersey – there are few such experiences that a professional can have in his life.
Ahmedhodzic made 24 appearances for the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team, but won’t represent the country again
‘We clearly and unequivocally say: our national team will not suffer because of those who do not want, cannot or simply do not give their best on the field.
‘Our association will not be a ‘hostage’ of the personal relationships of those who advertise themselves, name others and accuse others through the media, thus transferring the beautiful game from the most beautiful green field to the domain of mud, gossip and distorted truths,’ they added.
‘Everything they have to say, instead of using words, let them show it on the field, in the only place that has always been a measure of quality. To those who are trying to involve us in their personal conflicts, I say to leave us alone to work and create new values for the rise of our football.
‘Being a professional also means taking responsibility for your actions and communicating with others directly, without the interference of intermediaries and others who have no other role in the football community than to be supportive,’ concluded the FA.
