Red Star Belgrade board quit after UEFA Cup elimination

By Zoran Milosavljevic

BELGRADE (Reuters) - Red Star Belgrade president Toplica Spasojevic, sports director Goran Bunjevcevic and the entire board quit on Friday after their UEFA Cup second qualifying round defeat.

"Red Star's top officials saw their resignation as the only ethical course of action after a poor start to the season," the Serbian first division club said on their website (www.crvenazvezdafk.com).

"Spasojevic and Bunjevcevic have stepped down along with the entire managing board after their strong efforts failed to bear fruit."

Angry Red Star fans demanded the board's resignation during and after Thursday's 3-3 home draw with Cypriots APOEL Nicosia that sent the 1991 European Cup winners out of the UEFA Cup on away goals.

Riot police were deployed in and around the stadium as fans ripped out seats and threw them at the VIP box.

Red Star also have only one point from their opening two league matches but under-pressure Czech coach Zdenek Zeman has refused to quit.

"I will talk to the new board when it's appointed and see what their plans are but I want to carry on working here because there is room for improvement," said the former coach of Italian Serie A teams AS Roma and Lazio.

Red Star surrendered the domestic league and cup double to bitter city foes Partizan last season.