Bosnia and Herzegovina Football Association has banned Sheffield United defender Anel Ahmedhodzic for life from representing its national team, reports Afrosport.
The Bosnian FA made the shock announcement on Monday citing reasons such as unpatriotism, unprofessionalism, and lack of respect for constituted authority.
Born and raised in Sweden to Bosnian parents, Ahmedhodzic represented Sweden’s U17, U19, and U21 national teams and got high praise from then-Sweden coach Janne Andersson for his exceptional style of play.
However, in 2020, Ahmedhodzic, aged 21, switched his allegiance from Sweden to Bosnia and Herzegovina, which sparked a media frenzy in both countries.
Ahmedhodzic’s decision led to a debate about players who have been brought up in the Swedish youth national team and then opted not to represent the country, but that did not stop the defender from making his first appearance for his new national team.
The romance started having cracks almost immediately as Ahmedhodzic was accused by the Bosnian FA of feigning injuries to avoid representing the national team, something the defender consistently denied.
According to multiple sources, the 25-year-old would rather send documents to prove his injury than report to the national team camp to be assessed by the team doctors, something he did frequently despite several warnings and suspension.
The relationship broke down completely when Ahmedhodzic turned down a call-up to the national squad ahead of a European Championship qualifier last year due to injury and chose to stay with club side Sheffield.
The Bosnian FA frowned at his gesture and called him out in a statement on its website but the Sheffield defender made matters worse by discrediting the FA’s statement in a cryptic post on Instagram.
He also penned an open letter where he condemned the online hate he and his family were subjected to by Bosnian football fans.
That action seemed to be the last straw as the Bosnian FA subsequently banned him for life from representing the national team.
