Croatian Police Arrest 12 Football Fans Over Pro-Nazi and Antisemitic Chants
Authorities in Split detain supporters after antisemitic displays and clashes temporarily halted a European match against Dutch club Ajax.
At a glance
- Police in Split arrested 12 fans on charges of inciting violence and hatred following antisemitic chants before a European match.
- Supporters threw flares onto the pitch, interrupting Hajduk Split's 2-1 Conference League win over Ajax for 12 minutes.
- Croatian officials, the Israeli embassy, and the club condemned the incident, with the team facing possible UEFA sanctions.
Croatian police arrested 12 Hajduk Split supporters on Friday following an antisemitic demonstration, violent clashes, and pro-Nazi chanting before and during a UEFA Conference League match against Dutch side Ajax in Split on Thursday night.
Prior to the game, thousands of supporters marched through the city shouting insults against Jewish people and chanting praise for Nazi leader Adolf Hitler. Demonstrators walked behind a vehicle bearing a mock coffin emblazoned with the name of Ajax, an Amsterdam football club historically associated with the city's Jewish community.
Inside the stadium, supporters clashed with police and hurled flares and other projectiles onto the field, forcing a 12-minute interruption. Hajduk Split ultimately won the third-tier European match 2-1, marking the home team's first major European fixture in 16 years.
The outburst triggered swift condemnation across Croatia. President Zoran Milanovic denounced the behavior and demanded sanctions, stating that there is no place for the glorification of Nazism in the country. The Croatian Football Association said the unrest damaged the nation's football reputation and violated the basic sports values of respect, tolerance, and togetherness. Israel's embassy in Zagreb stated it was deeply shocked and called for a government response.
Police said the 12 arrested individuals face charges of inciting violence and hatred, adding that further arrests could follow. Hajduk Split issued an apology, acknowledging the club could face disciplinary action from UEFA. The club stated the conduct reflected only a fraction of its supporters and said it was prepared to accept any resulting consequences.
The incident has renewed scrutiny over far-right nationalism linked to Croatia's World War II regime, which collaborated with the Nazis and killed tens of thousands of ethnic Serbs, Jews, Roma, and antifascist Croats in concentration camps. Milorad Pupovac, a political leader of Croatia's ethnic Serbs, said the escalation in Split had been only a matter of time.
Source: Al Jazeera.
Questions and answers
- Why were football fans arrested in Split?
- Police arrested 12 Hajduk Split supporters on charges of inciting violence and hatred after fans shouted antisemitic insults, praised Adolf Hitler, and clashed with police.
- Did the incident disrupt the Hajduk Split vs Ajax match?
- Yes, fans threw flares and other objects onto the pitch, causing a 12-minute suspension before Hajduk Split secured a 2-1 victory.
- What action could Hajduk Split face over the disturbance?
- The club faces potential disciplinary action from UEFA over the match disruptions and has stated it is ready to accept the consequences.
