Belgrade, February 15 - The date has finally been set for the return match between Belgrade rivals Red Star and Partizan after the initial match was postponed because of rioting in October last year.
The Yugoslav football association (FAY) confirmed upon February 17, a week before the spring half of the league programme commences.
But the chances of the abandoned Belgrade derby finally taking place have diminished after Partizan defied the football authorities and threatened not to turn up against
Red Star on Saturday.
Despite the fact that the FAY could award the game to Red Star, so giving them a three point lead at the top of the table, Partizan coach Ljubisa Tumbakovic fully supported his directors' decision.
"I will not go back to the stadium," he vowed. "My attitude is that the match should not be played and that way no-one will get offended."
There are suggestions that Partizan would be willing to play the game later in the season, possibly on April 4.
Crucially, that date will be after elections to the FAY executive and Partizan is expecting significant changes in personnel that could see the verdict on October's riot overturned.
