Arrests made for pro-Nazi chants at Hajduk Split-Ajax match in Croatia

What the report says

Police in Split, Croatia, arrested at least 12 Hajduk Split supporters after a UEFA Conference League match against Ajax was disrupted by anti-Semitic chanting, pro-Nazi slogans and clashes with officers, Al Jazeera reported, citing police and local officials. The arrests were made the day after the Thursday night game, during which fans also threw flares and other objects onto the pitch, forcing a 12-minute interruption. Authorities said more arrests could follow as they investigated charges tied to inciting violence and hatred.

According to the report, the disturbance began before kickoff, when thousands of supporters marched toward the stadium and chanted insults aimed at Jewish people while praising Adolf Hitler. A mock coffin marked with Ajax’s name was also carried during the march, reflecting a long-standing association between the Dutch club and Amsterdam’s Jewish community. Hajduk went on to win the match 2-1 in what was its first major European home game in 16 years.

The incident drew strong criticism from Croatian leaders, including President Zoran Milanovic, as well as the Croatian Football Association, which said the conduct damaged the country’s football image and clashed with sport’s values of respect and tolerance. The Israeli embassy in Zagreb also condemned the episode. Hajduk apologized and said the actions did not represent all of its supporters. More broadly, the report noted that Croatia has long faced scrutiny over far-right and nationalist symbols linked to its World War II-era pro-Nazi regime, a subject the government has denied minimizing.