Croatian Football Federation and Hajduk condemn incidents in Split

Illustration (Photo: West Brom 4ever/Public domain)

The Croatian Football Federation has strongly condemned the fan disturbances that occurred after the semifinal match of the SuperSport Croatian Football Cup in Split on Wednesday night.

After the match between Hajduk and Dinamo (0:1), a number of home team fans invaded the pitch and subsequently initiated and participated in clashes with the police both inside and outside the stadium. So far, 54 people were arrested, whilst three police officers were injured. 

On Thursday, the Croatian Football Federation issued a statement.

“The Croatian Football Federation consistently condemns all forms of violence in football stadiums, and we call on all stakeholders in football and beyond to show zero tolerance for any inappropriate and unacceptable behaviour, from racism and discrimination to physical violence.

We share the deep disappointment of the football community regarding the regrettable scenes that followed last night’s match, and we hope that every individual involved in the disturbances will be held accountable according to the law. We also express our gratitude to the police for their professional response, which protected the teams, officials, and spectators and prevented further escalation of vandalism and violence.

Incidents like these, where spectators, sports personnel, and footballers do not feel safe, have no place in stadiums. Therefore, the HNS, as a responsible organisation, will continue to invest maximum efforts in combating unlawful behaviour, expecting and needing the support of clubs and all relevant institutions.”

Also on Thursday, Hajduk’s president, Lukša Jakobušić, made commented on the events for Hajduk TV:

“After last night, I feel all the negative emotions that a person who loves Hajduk can feel. I feel sadness, anger, and disappointment. Three and a half years ago, when we came in, I said I wanted a powerful, strong, and gentlemanly Hajduk. What happened yesterday was neither powerful, nor strong, nor gentlemanly.

Not on the field, especially with what happened later in the stands, spilling onto the field and the city streets. I feel ashamed. Primarily because of the result, but even more because of the approach and the play in both derbies, especially in yesterday’s match. That’s not the Hajduk we aspire to, the one we all wish for, the Hajduk with 107 thousand members.

I understand the frustration of the fans, us at the club, and all the people around the club, but that’s no reason for frustration to turn into destruction. I cannot support or justify that in any way. That’s not Hajduk!

Even though all of this periodically repeats itself, that’s not Hajduk, and that’s not Split. This doesn’t help the club. No matter how frustrated that group of young men is, violence is never and can never be the solution.

Yesterday, people felt unsafe at Poljud, and that must not happen. Nobody should feel like that, neither players, nor fans, nor anyone in the club. There were women and children there yesterday. This is football, this is just a sport.

Even though for many of us, football means life, and probably for these young men who ran onto the field, that doesn’t mean they can endanger everyone else for whom it’s just a sport. There are 30 thousand people in the stadium, the whole of Split, the whole of Croatia… Imagine if we all started expressing our frustrations however we wanted. Hajduk must not allow such things. That’s not how you love a club.”