Authorities in the Croatian city of Split have arrested at least 12 Hajduk Split football supporters following an antisemitic demonstration and match disruptions on Thursday. Police confirmed the arrests on Friday, citing charges of inciting violence and hatred, and noted that additional suspects may be detained as the investigation continues.
The trouble began before the UEFA Conference League match against Ajax, when thousands of fans participated in a rally characterized by insults toward Jewish people and chants honoring Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler. The supporters marched behind a vehicle carrying a mock coffin labeled with the name of the Dutch club, which has historical ties to the Jewish community in Amsterdam.
During the match—the home team’s first major European fixture in 16 years—fans clashed with law enforcement and threw flares onto the field, forcing a 12-minute interruption. Despite the chaotic atmosphere, Hajduk secured a 2-1 victory over Ajax.
The incident drew sharp criticism from national officials. President Zoran Milanovic called for decisive measures and sanctions to ensure there is no place for the glorification of Nazism within the country. The Croatian Football Association condemned the actions as fundamentally opposed to the basic values of sports, including mutual respect, tolerance, and togetherness. Additionally, the Israeli embassy in Zagreb expressed being deeply shocked and requested an official government response.
Milorad Pupovac, leader of the ethnic Serb minority—a group targeted by Croatia’s World War II pro-Nazi regime—stated that the outburst was an inevitable outcome of ongoing national tensions. Historically, tens of thousands of Roma, Jews, Serbs, and antifascist Croats were killed in wartime concentration camps. While some nationalists have used pro-Nazi symbols under the guise of celebrating independence from the former Yugoslavia, the government has faced long-standing accusations of ignoring far-right sentiment, claims which officials have consistently denied. The Croatian government long has been accused of turning a blind eye to rising nationalist and far-right sentiments related to the country’s World War II regime that collaborated with the Nazis.
Hajduk Split, which now faces potential disciplinary action from UEFA, issued a formal apology. While acknowledging that the behavior did not represent the entire fanbase, the club stated, “Despite all efforts, things happened that we are not proud of, but we are ready to take the consequences as a club.”
