Milan Jelić

Dr Milan Jelić, the president of the Football Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (NSBiH), has passed away suddenly at the age of 51.

University qualifications
Born on 26 March 1956 in Koprivina, near Modrica, he completed his secondary education in Doboj and studied at the University of Novi Sad's faculty of economics in Subotica, Serbia, before obtaining a master's degree and doctorate at the faculty of economics in Banja Luka. Dr Jelić spent four years on the local council in Modriča, and was also a prominent local businessman. After the signing of the Dayton Agreement in 1995 - the general framework agreement for peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina - he was elected to the National Assembly of Republika Srpska, one of the two entities of Bosnia-Herzegovina. Jelić was later elected president of the Republic of Srpska, and held this position until his death.

'Deeply saddened'
As a sports administrator, Dr Jelić was a much-respected president of the NSBiH and was also the president of the football association of the Republic of Srpska. He achieved significant results promoting football in Bosnia and Herzegovina and contributed to the unity of football at national level. "UEFA and the European football family is deeply saddened to hear of Dr Jelić's sudden passing," UEFA President Michel Platini said. "He was a devoted and outstanding servant to the game, and made a massive contribution to the development of football in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Our deepest sympathy goes out to his wife Milica and his son Petar."