Hajduk Split Condemns Attack on Niko Kovač and HNS Delegation
- by croatiaweek
- in Sport
Hajduk Split football club have condemned the actions of its fans after a Croatian football federation delegation, which included national team coach Niko Kovač, was attacked on their way to Split on Monday where they were going to organise the upcoming Euro 2016 qualifier against Italy in June…
Around a dozen Hajduk Split supporters confronted the HNS delegation at the Zir rest stop on the motorway heading towards Split. The group, wearing Hajduk Insignia, began verbally attacking the delegation, before things turned physical. Nobody was injured during the incident, but there was damage done to the HNS official vehicle.
“Hajduk Split expresses deep regret for the unpleasant incident which the Croatian national football team coach Niko Kovač, and the HNS delegation experienced on the way to Split. We also strongly condemn any form of violence and hooliganism,” said Hajduk Split.
“Despite this uncomfortable incident, we are aware that these hooligans do not represent Hajduk, their fans Torcida, or the city of Split, and we will not let these type of hooligans influence our intentions to bring the national team to Split to play Italy,” said a HNS statement.
Apart from Kovač, the HNS delegation travelling in the vehicle were Executive Chairman Damir Vrbanović, Head of Security Zoran Cvrk, Team Manager Iva Olivari, Match Manager Alan Balen, Ticketing Manager Nikša Martinac, and Spokesperson Tomislav Pacak.
(photo credit / Drago Sopta / HNS)