September 11 – The Football Federation of North Macedonia (FFM) is shifting to a co-financing and joint investment model for national infrastructure, saying its stadium development budget has been severely depleted by the previous FA administration.
FFM President Masar Omeragić provided the update during an official working meeting with executive representatives of the First Macedonian Football League.
The central financial discussion focused on the modernization of the stadium, including the construction of fields, maintenance and the installation of projectors. The management of the FFM clarified that the Federation cannot unilaterally finance club infrastructure projects.
The current leadership said the previous management spent approximately €5 million on two specific projects during the last two months in office, severely limiting FFM’s immediate capital.
Future infrastructure improvements will require joint funding models involving FFM, local municipalities and club owners. FFM reminded top-tier clubs that, as registered corporations, they have the primary financial and legal responsibility for maintaining and improving their own facilities.
“I don’t hide behind the Federation, nor should the clubs hide behind press releases. Anything they think needs improvement, all suggestions and ideas, can be presented directly through the bodies of the Federation. Only through open communication can we reach solutions,” Omeragić said.
Clubs will be granted the autonomy to allocate available pooled funds according to their specific operational needs.
Alongside the financial strategy, FFM announced an important government reform. Premier League clubs will receive direct delegated representation in the FFM Assembly for the first time in decades, without bypassing the traditional municipal football associations.
“A fair and collaborative partnership between the Federation and the clubs is required. As FFM, we will do everything in our power and everything we deem necessary to raise the level of the competition,” Omeragić added.
Top officials welcomed the new governance structure and praised the new transparency in the league’s operations and refereeing.
Contact the writer of this story, Alexander Krassimirov, at (email protected)
