Soccer

Slovenia joined its ally, Croatia, in a boycott of Yugoslavia’s sports by withdrawing its team from the country’s top soccer league.

The Slovenian Football Assn. said in a statement that Olimpija of Ljubljana would not take part in Yugoslavia’s first soccer league, which started during the weekend. Olimpija failed to show up for a match against Partizan Belgrade in Belgrade on Sunday without giving any official explanation.

Earlier this month, Croatian sports officials said they would organize their own soccer and other leagues, and their teams and athletes will not take part in any competition on the national level.

At least 250 people have died in clashes between federal troops, republican forces and other armed groups since Slovenia and Croatia declared independence June 25.