Press: Football arrests, Jočić speculation

A special police raid in Novi Sad yesterday, and the arrest of the Vojvodina FC owner, dominate today's headlines. ALO—The arrest of the Vojvodina FC president, Ratko Buturovic, a.k.a. Bata Kan-Kan, in his luxurious Novi Sad residence is on the front page under what is a fairly successful pun in Serbian: "Bata Kan-Kan finished his dance". Four other officials, including referees, are also in custody. Press: Football arrests, Jocic speculation The Australian Open tennis fairy tale seems to be turning somewhat sour as the daily announces the three young stars do not wish to meet fans in Serbia, "What did we do to deserve this?" BLIC—"Europe awaits Serbia's decision-elections as EU referendum", explores the relationship between Brussels and Belgrade. Buturovic's dramatic arrest by none other than MUP's anti-terrorist unit, PTJ, is also on the front page: "Arrested for match-fixing". Ana Ivanovic, ahead of her trip to Budapest for Federation Cup matches, says "We will take Serbia to the world group". BORBA—The less-than-SAA deal the EU has in mind for Serbia is still on the front page, and the daily reads it in this way: "European Union offers Serbia interim agreement-invitation to membership". "Strict against cigarettes", Serbia is getting tough on tobacco, at least in the form of cigarettes, and prepares to mark January 31 as the national no smoking day. VECERNJE NOVOSTI—The newspaper announces tonight's final televised debate between Boris Tadic and Tomislav Nikolic ahead of the Feb. 3 presidential run-off: "Tadic: We must move forward; Nikolic: Unity matters". "Mafia netted", is about football, organized crime, and Bata Kan-Kan's arrest last night. "Minister Popovic hospitalized too", says another headline, explaining that another minister from the Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS), Aleksandar Popovic, yesterday sought help from doctors. He was in the meantime given a clean bill of health. As for the seriously injured Interior Minister Dragan Jocic, the daily reports progress under, "Jocic breathes easier". GAZETA—Sketchy official details about the circumstances of the car crash last Friday that left Jocic with multiple fractures, including serious injuries to his spine and punctured lungs, naturally led to speculation. "Dog was in the jeep?" the newspaper says today, referring to announcements by police earlier that the car swerved and crashed as it hit a dog on the highway. "Novak, my grandson, stay clear of politics!", is the message Novak Djokovic's grandfather Vlada sent via the daily's front page. GLAS JAVNOSTI—"EU membership on a long stick", is another take on the complicated situation regarding Serbia's EU integration. "Jocic taken off life support", says another article. "Kosovo's partition back on table?", the paper reports on Aleksandr Botsan-Kharchenko's statement carried by our website yesterday. "From euphoria to public spitting contest", is how the relationship between Eurosong winner Marija Serifovic and RTS chief Aleksandar Tijanic is described, also implying the bitter verbal brawl the pair have engaged in via the media has political overtones. DANAS—The liberal daily is optimistic: "Europe opens doors for Serbia". "Buturovic arrested", brings details of the Novi Sad raid yesterday. President Boris Tadic's meeting with his Romanian counterparty Traian Basescu in Belgrade yesterday is reported under, "Serbia chooses its path toward future". KURIR—The tabloid has summed up its feelings and findings about the Jocic crash in one word on the front page: "Mystery". Next, it quotes SRS secretary-general Aleksandar Vucic who claims, "Tadic is blackmailing Novak [Djokovic]"; this, as the presidential run-off campaigns get red-hot and dirty. POLITIKA—"Bata Kan-Kan's arrest signals showdown with football mafia", the daily believes. "Tadic: Kostunica is not Seselj; Nikolic: Kostunica is not Canak", says another headline, apparently suggesting that the prime minister is the key to the presidential ballot outcome. "European Union prepares staff for mission", is about the controversial plans that Brussels has to send its mission to Kosovo. The preparations are over, the newspaper reports, and an EU Council of Ministers decision is now awaited. PRESS—"Bata Kan-Kan arrested", says the front page. The tabloid also announces the Sunday vote, under, "Election drama".

Press: Football arrests, Jočić speculation

The Australian Open tennis fairy tale seems to be turning somewhat sour as the daily announces the three young stars do not wish to meet fans in Serbia, "What did we do to deserve this?"

BLIC—"Europe awaits Serbia's decision-elections as EU referendum", explores the relationship between Brussels and Belgrade.

Buturović's dramatic arrest by none other than MUP's anti-terrorist unit, PTJ, is also on the front page: "Arrested for match-fixing".

Ana Ivanović, ahead of her trip to Budapest for Federation Cup matches, says "We will take Serbia to the world group".

BORBA—The less-than-SAA deal the EU has in mind for Serbia is still on the front page, and the daily reads it in this way: "European Union offers Serbia interim agreement-invitation to membership".

"Strict against cigarettes", Serbia is getting tough on tobacco, at least in the form of cigarettes, and prepares to mark January 31 as the national no smoking day.

VEČERNJE NOVOSTI—The newspaper announces tonight's final televised debate between Boris Tadić and Tomislav Nikolić ahead of the Feb. 3 presidential run-off: "Tadić: We must move forward; Nikolić: Unity matters".

"Mafia netted", is about football, organized crime, and Bata Kan-Kan's arrest last night.

"Minister Popović hospitalized too", says another headline, explaining that another minister from the Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS), Aleksandar Popović, yesterday sought help from doctors. He was in the meantime given a clean bill of health. As for the seriously injured Interior Minister Dragan Jočić, the daily reports progress under, "Jočić breathes easier".

GAZETA—Sketchy official details about the circumstances of the car crash last Friday that left Jočić with multiple fractures, including serious injuries to his spine and punctured lungs, naturally led to speculation. "Dog was in the jeep?" the newspaper says today, referring to announcements by police earlier that the car swerved and crashed as it hit a dog on the highway.

"Novak, my grandson, stay clear of politics!", is the message Novak Đoković's grandfather Vlada sent via the daily's front page.

GLAS JAVNOSTI—"EU membership on a long stick", is another take on the complicated situation regarding Serbia's EU integration.

"Jočić taken off life support", says another article.

"Kosovo's partition back on table?", the paper reports on Aleksandr Botsan-Kharchenko's statement carried by our website yesterday.

"From euphoria to public spitting contest", is how the relationship between Eurosong winner Marija Šerifović and RTS chief Aleksandar Tijanić is described, also implying the bitter verbal brawl the pair have engaged in via the media has political overtones.

DANAS—The liberal daily is optimistic: "Europe opens doors for Serbia".

"Buturović arrested", brings details of the Novi Sad raid yesterday.

President Boris Tadić's meeting with his Romanian counterparty Traian Basescu in Belgrade yesterday is reported under, "Serbia chooses its path toward future".

KURIR—The tabloid has summed up its feelings and findings about the Jočić crash in one word on the front page: "Mystery".

Next, it quotes SRS secretary-general Aleksandar Vučić who claims, "Tadić is blackmailing Novak [Đoković]"; this, as the presidential run-off campaigns get red-hot and dirty.

POLITIKA—"Bata Kan-Kan's arrest signals showdown with football mafia", the daily believes.

"Tadić: Koštunica is not Šešelj; Nikolić: Koštunica is not Čanak", says another headline, apparently suggesting that the prime minister is the key to the presidential ballot outcome.

"European Union prepares staff for mission", is about the controversial plans that Brussels has to send its mission to Kosovo. The preparations are over, the newspaper reports, and an EU Council of Ministers decision is now awaited.

PRESS—"Bata Kan-Kan arrested", says the front page.

The tabloid also announces the Sunday vote, under, "Election drama".