The last of Serbia and Montenegro

FK Crvena Zvezda look destined to be the last champions of Serbia and Montenegro after Montenegrins voted for independence on 21 May.

Massive news
Even the massive news that Dušan Bajević will be the new coach of Crvena Zvezda has been overshadowed by the referendum, and with Serbia and Montenegro competing at the FIFA World Cup, supporters are now discovering what the future might bring for domestic football in the soon-to-be divided country.

Similar models
The structures of the two new leagues are already taking shape. The two independent nations expect to have 12-team top divisions next season playing on a similar model, with the leagues dividing into championship and relegation groups after 22 rounds.

Changing structure
However, exactly who will compete in those leagues has yet to be decided. Even before the independence vote, Serbia and Montenegro had planned to cut the top flight from 16 clubs to 12 with seven sides earmarked for relegation at the end of the current campaign.

Spared relegation
With FK Zeta as well as 'relegated' FK Budućnost Podgorica and FK Jedinstvo Bijelo Polje set to leave to join the putative new Montenegrin tournament, the best of the Serbian 'relegated' teams, FK Zemun and FK Smederevo, are expected to be spared the drop with two further second division sides likely to complete the new roster.

Political formalities
In Montenegro, Zeta, Budućnost and Jedinstvo will be the basis of the new competition with nine clubs from the lower divisions also getting involved. Once Montenegro receives United Nations approval for its independence, it is anticipated that a new, independent Montenegrin national association will apply for UEFA and FIFA membership.

Amicable settlement
The Football Association of Serbia and Montenegro (FSSCG), meanwhile, is envisaging an amicable separation at its final general assembly after the World Cup. Already, an agreement has been made in principle that Serbia will inherit the FSSCG's place in UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying Group A.

Blues and reds
Such a decision would obviously be subject to ratification by UEFA but it is thought Montenegro will spend its first years as an independent country playing just friendly games with a view to returning to competitive action in the 2010 World Cup qualifiers. Serbia will inherit the blue shirts of Serbia and Montenegro while Montenegro will wear red.

Friendly terms
The FSSCG celebrated 110 years of football in Serbia on 27 May in a ceremony which culminated in Montenegrin Football Association president Dejan Savićević giving a gold medal to his Serbian counterpart Zvezdan Terzić. The FSSCG may soon be divided, but its members will be parting on friendly terms.