Soccer-Bosnia defender Papac continues national team boycott

By Kenny MacDonald

GLASGOW, March 22 (Reuters) - Bosnia defender Sasa Papac has vowed to continue boycotting international football in protest at the way his country selects players on ethnic grounds.

"There are around eight of us playing for foreign teams who now refuse to play for Bosnia," he said on the Web site of his Scottish Premier League club Rangers on Wednesday.

"There are many things that are not right in the national association and unless that changes then I will not play for my country again," added the 27-year-old.

Most of the Bosnian FA (NFSBIH) officials were elected or appointed because of ethnic affiliation, not professional qualifications.

Papac is suspended for Saturday's Euro 2008 qualifier against Norway after being sent off in their last qualifying match at home to champions Greece, which they lost 4-0.

But he said: "... even if I hadn't been suspended I wouldn't have played anyway.

"I am totally finished with the national team. There are too many problems with the national association," he added.

"It's nothing to do with the new coach (Fuad Muzorovic). The problems are with the president, the sport director and others.