BELGRADE -- Around 5,000 police officers will safeguard the EHF European Handball Championship semifinal game in Belgrade between Serbia and Croatia on Friday evening.
Gendarmes are seen in front of the Arena (Tanjug)
He stressed that in line with security estimates, the police have taken measures to make sure the games go by without incidents which marked recent matches in Novi Sad.
"I want to note we have excellent cooperation with the Prosecutor's Office and misdemeanor courts, and that their representatives have been assigned to tonight's game, so all those who violate the law, and commit either a misdemeanor or criminal offense, will be prosecuted immediately," Despotović said.
He also noted that the Serbian police had excellent cooperation with its Croatian colleagues, and a joint checkpoint has been set up at the Batrovci border crossing.
According to him, Croatian fans who are identified as hooligans will be sent back from the border.
“Although the focus is on fans from Croatia, the police will take care of all fans who come to the Belgrade Arena to support their handball teams,” Despotović added.
Belgrade Police Assistant Chief Nikola Popovac stressed that prevention talks would be held during the day with the leaders of fan groups.
Pupovac said there were no announcements of organized arrival of Croatian fans, which did not mean there would not be individuals who would go to the match.
The semifinal match between Croatia and Serbia will start at 20:15 CET.
Following Tuesday's match between Croatia and France at the 2012 EHF European Men's Handball Championship, Croatian fans were attacked in Novi Sad and Ruma.
A total of 13 persons were arrested on the occasion, while three persons are still at large.
The Serbian police stated they are ready for the upcoming match in Belgrade Arena on Friday.
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