Croatian police make arrests over antisemitic chanting before Hajduk-Ajax match

Croatian police have made arrests as they investigate antisemitic chanting by Hajduk Split supporters before Thursday’s Conference League match against Ajax, BBC Sport reported. Local police told the broadcaster that several other individuals had been identified and were being sought. The incident prompted condemnation from Croatia’s government and the country’s independent human rights ombudswoman.

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According to the BBC report, footage posted online showed supporters outside the stadium chanting references to Auschwitz and expressing support for Adolf Hitler. A supporters’ procession towards the ground was headed by a yellow car with a coffin bearing Ajax’s name on its roof. The Amsterdam club has a historical association with the Jewish community.

The Croatian government condemned the chants in a statement published on X on Thursday. It said the glorification of Nazism by some supporters was unacceptable and contrary to both sporting principles and the democratic values of modern Croatia. Ombudswoman Tena Simonovic Einwalter also condemned the incident, characterising it as an expression of hatred and intolerance.

Hajduk won the match 2-1, but fireworks in the stands caused play to be halted for approximately 10 minutes. The club subsequently issued an apology on social media to spectators, the competition organiser and Ajax’s management and players. BBC Sport noted that the apology did not specifically address the antisemitic chanting. The club said the scenes were not how it wanted to be remembered in Europe.

The distinction between events outside and inside the ground is relevant to any sporting disciplinary response. The BBC reported that Uefa has no authority over incidents away from the stadium, although it can act over conduct in the stands or within the stadium precinct. The police investigation concerns the chanting that took place before the match.

Croatian football has previously faced consequences for discriminatory behaviour. The national federation apologised in 2015 after a swastika was marked on the pitch before a European Championship qualifier against Italy. Earlier this month, Croatia’s Nations League match against England was played under a stadium ban following supporter misconduct against France last year, with children and accompanying adults permitted to attend. Simonovic Einwalter argued that inadequate responses to earlier incidents had allowed such behaviour to spread.