UEFA has imposed sanctions on Croatian club HNK Hajduk Split due to incidents that occurred during their first qualifying round match in the Conference League against Ajax at Poljud Stadium last week. As a result, Hajduk will play their next home match behind closed doors and is subject to a significant fine.
The club announced UEFA’s official decision through a statement from its disciplinary committee. The primary reason for the penalties was the interruption of the match caused by the extensive use of pyrotechnics by fans.
Hajduk Split’s Stadium Closed by UEFA
Among UEFA’s decisions are a complete closure of the stadium for the upcoming home match in the Conference League group stage against Sint-Truidense, a fine of €80,000, and a conditional suspension of the stadium for another European match should there be a recurrence of pyrotechnic use, according to reports from sport.aktuality.sk.
The penalties do not end there. Hajduk must also pay an additional fine of €16,000 for blocking stairways and access routes in the stands. Concurrently, the club management has issued a strong message to its fans:
“We are sending a clear message to all supporters: in future European encounters, whether at home or away, refrain from any undesirable behavior. Such acts cause enormous financial losses to the club and tarnish its reputation. We trust that we will once again experience great European victories together and set a positive example that will be remembered across Europe,” stated officials from Hajduk Split.
Disturbing Scenes Before the Match
Before the same match, home fans, members of the Torcida group, recreated a macabre gesture from 31 years ago and incited violence against Jews, glorifying Ustaše and fascism on the streets of Split.
As they marched towards Poljud, Hajduk supporters chanted about Auschwitz, Adolf Hitler, and “Ustaše,” followers of the Croatian fascist political movement allied with Nazi Germany during World War II.
Extremely racist chants were heard, including “Auschwitz,” “Rise up, Adolf!” and “Stamp on the Jews!” along with a disturbing song: “I light the high furnaces, three rows of coal, four Jews. The Jew screams!” reported sportal.rs, against the backdrop of an eerie melody. The Torcida’s racist outbursts had a historical parallel to their predecessors’ actions 31 years ago, before Hajduk faced Ajax in the 1994/1995 Champions League season.
