EINDHOVEN, Netherlands, March 21 (UPI) -- Serbian swimming star Milorad Cavic was suspended from the European championships for wearing a T-shirt opposing Kosovo's independence, swim officials said.

The Serbian news agency Tanjug reported Friday that Cavic wore a T-shirt with the message "Kosovo is Serbia" at a ceremony after winning the gold medal in a 50-meter butterfly competition this week in Eindhoven, Netherlands.

Kosovo, a former Serbian province, declared its independence in February.

Tanjug said LEN, the European swimming governing body, ruled that the T-shirt "contained a political message, " which goes against the organization's rules.

"We have decided to suspend Mr. Milorad Cavic from the championships," LEN said in a statement from its disciplinary commission.

Cavic, who was not stripped of his gold medal, said he had been trying to send "positive energy" to the country he represents.

The Serbian Swimming Organization was fined.