Croatian police are investigating antisemitic chanting by Hajduk Split fans which took place before their Conference League game against Ajax on Thursday. Footage published online shows Hajduk supporters chanting outside the stadium about Auschwitz and in support of Adolf Hitler. A large supporters' march to the stadium was led by a yellow car carrying a coffin marked "Ajax" on its roof.
The Amsterdam club is historically associated with the Jewish community. Croatia's ombudswoman Tena Simonovic Einwalter, an independent official appointed by parliament to safeguard human rights, called the incident a "manifestation of hatred and intolerance". The Croatian government also condemned the chanting.
"We strongly condemn the unacceptable chants glorifying the Nazi regime that were recorded among a portion of fans before today's match in Split," it said on X on Thursday., external "Such shameful behaviour constitutes a negation of sport and the democratic values that modern Croatia cherishes." Local police told BBC Sport they had already made arrests in connection with yesterday's chants and that several further individuals had been identified and were being tracked down. Hajduk, who finished second in Croatia's top flight last season, won the match 2-1 but play was stopped for around 10 minutes because of fireworks in the stands. The Croatian club posted an apology on social media, external after the game, although it did not specifically mention any antisemitic chanting.
"When situations like today happen, we are obliged to apologise to those who came to the stadium to cheer on the team that returned to European competitions after 16 years," it said. "We also apologise to the organiser of the competition and to the Ajax management and players who witnessed scenes we do not want Europe to remember us by." Uefa has no jurisdiction over incidents away from the stadium but can take action if something happens in the stands or stadium precinct. Croatian football has previously faced sanctions over antisemitic and discriminatory behaviour.
In 2015, the Croatian Football Federation apologised after a swastika was marked on the pitch before their Euro 2016 qualifier against Italy. Earlier this month, Croatia's Nations League match against England was played under a stadium ban imposed following discriminatory behaviour by supporters against France last year. Children and accompanying adults were allowed to attend.
"Unfortunately, instead of decreasing and stopping, such phenomena are spreading more freely and intensifying, which is not surprising after previous similar behaviours were met with insufficient reaction from high-ranking officials and competent bodies," said Simonovic Einwalter.
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