Croatian Leaders Condemn Pro-Nazi Chants by Hajduk Split Fans
Croatian officials and the Israeli embassy denounced anti-Semitic and pro-Nazi chants by football fans during a UEFA Conference League match in Split.
Croatian government leaders and the Israeli embassy condemned pro-Nazi and anti-Semitic chants performed by Hajduk Split football fans before a UEFA Conference League match against Ajax. Members of the Torcida fan group marched through Split chanting "Crush the Jews" and "Rise up Adolf (Hitler)" while referencing the Ustasha, the pro-Nazi regime that operated in Croatia during World War II.
Zoran Milanovic, the President of Croatia, and Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic denounced the incidents as shameful and contrary to national values. The Embassy of Israel in Zagreb expressed shock over the events. Both HNK Hajduk Split and the Croatian Football Federation issued formal apologies and condemnations following the match, which Hajduk Split won 2-1.
During the game, fans used pyrotechnics that forced a 10-minute stoppage. Croatian police have since opened an investigation into the matter and detained several suspects.
