A group of hardcore football supporters from Hajduk Split, widely known as the Torcida, marched through the coastal city of Split ahead of their UEFA Conference League fixture against Ajax, engaging in disturbing pro-Nazi and antisemitic chanting. According to local reports, the participants shouted slogans calling to crush Jews, glorified Adolf Hitler, and invoked the World War II-era Ustasha regime, which was notorious for its genocidal policies against ethnic minorities.

Law enforcement detained dozens of individuals ahead of the match in connection with street violence and public disorder. During the game itself, Torcida fans ignited flares and pyrotechnic devices in the stands, forcing a stoppage that lasted over ten minutes. Police authorities confirmed that a formal investigation has been launched regarding the hate speech incidents, and several suspects remain in detention.

President Zoran Milanovic publicly condemned the episode in a statement, describing the behavior as unacceptable and shameful while calling for decisive measures against the perpetrators. Concurrently, the Israeli embassy in Zagreb expressed profound shock over the severe antisemitic occurrence. The European regime in Zagreb, alongside conservative Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, faced renewed scrutiny as critics pointed out a systemic failure to adequately sanction extreme nationalism.

Croatian football has long struggled with ultra-nationalist elements tarnishing its international reputation, with previous incidents including carved swastikas on pitches resulting in disciplinary sanctions from UEFA. Observers note that despite official condemnations, the apparent tolerance toward historical revisionism and fascist symbols continues to foster a permissive environment for extremist rhetoric within society.

Source: www.aljazeera.com