The short version
- Croatian police are investigating antisemitic chanting by Hajduk Split supporters ahead of their Conference League fixture against Ajax.
- The incident involved a march featuring a mock coffin labeled with the opposing team's name and chants referencing Auschwitz and Adolf Hitler.
- Government officials and human rights advocates have condemned the behavior, while the club issued a general apology without explicitly addressing the hate speech.
Croatian law enforcement agencies have launched an investigation into antisemitic chanting by supporters of Hajduk Split, a prominent football club based in Dalmatia. The incident occurred on Thursday prior to a UEFA Europa Conference League match against the Dutch side Ajax. Authorities confirmed that arrests had already been made in connection with the disturbances and that several additional individuals involved in the events were being tracked for further questioning.
Video footage circulated online depicts supporters marching toward the stadium behind a yellow vehicle carrying a mock coffin marked with the name of the visiting team. The Amsterdam-based club has historical ties to the Jewish community, which appears to have been the target of the hostility. During the march, fans were heard chanting slogans that referenced the Auschwitz concentration camp and expressed support for Adolf Hitler, drawing immediate condemnation from local officials.
Tena Simonovic Einwalter, Croatia’s ombudswoman for human rights, described the events as a clear manifestation of hatred and intolerance. She noted with concern that such discriminatory behaviors appear to be intensifying rather than diminishing. Her comments suggested that previous incidents may have been met with inadequate responses from high-ranking officials and competent bodies, potentially emboldening further displays of extremism among certain fan groups.
The Croatian government issued a strong statement condemning the actions of the fans. Officials characterized the chants glorifying the Nazi regime as unacceptable and shameful, asserting that such behavior negates the values of sport and contradicts the democratic principles that modern Croatia claims to uphold. The administration emphasized its commitment to safeguarding human rights and maintaining social cohesion against acts of intolerance.
Despite the controversy surrounding the pre-match events, the football match proceeded with Hajduk Split securing a 2-1 victory over Ajax. However, the game was interrupted for approximately ten minutes due to fireworks being set off in the stands. This disruption added to the tension and safety concerns already heightened by the hostile atmosphere generated by the supporters' march.
Hajduk Split released an apology on social media following the conclusion of the match. The statement expressed regret to fans who attended the stadium to celebrate the team’s return to European competition after a sixteen-year absence. The club also apologized to the competition organizers and to Ajax management and players for witnessing scenes that did not reflect well on Europe, though the message did not specifically mention the antisemitic nature of the chants.
The jurisdictional limits of UEFA regarding such incidents were highlighted in the aftermath. While the European football governing body can impose sanctions for behavior occurring within stadium precincts or during matches, it lacks authority over events taking place outside these areas. This distinction may complicate efforts to hold clubs accountable for fan conduct that occurs in public spaces leading up to games.
This incident is part of a broader pattern of discriminatory behavior associated with Croatian football. In 2015, the Croatian Football Federation issued an apology after a swastika was found marked on the pitch before a Euro 2016 qualifier against Italy. More recently, a stadium ban was imposed for Croatia’s Nations League match against England due to prior discriminatory conduct by supporters during a game against France. These recurring issues suggest deep-seated challenges in addressing extremism within the sport.
The ombudswoman’s criticism underscores growing frustration with the perceived lack of decisive action from authorities in previous years. Her remarks indicate that insufficient reactions to past incidents may have contributed to the current escalation. As investigations continue, the focus remains on identifying those responsible and determining appropriate legal consequences, while broader questions about governance and fan culture in Croatian football persist.
The situation highlights the ongoing struggle to balance freedom of expression with the need to protect individuals from hate speech and intimidation. While sports clubs often distance themselves from the actions of extreme fan groups, the visibility of such incidents raises concerns about their impact on public perception and social harmony. The outcome of this investigation may set a precedent for how similar cases are handled in the future.
Sources behind this briefing
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- BBC Sport↗Police investigating antisemitic Nazi chants from Hajduk Split fans
