Full Breakdown
Croatian Fans' Pro-Nazi Chants Spark Arrests and Government Condemnation Ahead of Ajax Match
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Core Incident
On October 15, 2026, supporters of Hajduk Split marched through the coastal city of Split before the UEFA Conference League match against Dutch club Ajax. Video footage showed sections of the crowd chanting antisemitic slogans such as “Crush the Jews,” “Rise up Adolf (Hitler),” and “Let’s go Ustaša,” while also referencing Auschwitz. A yellow car bearing a mock coffin labeled “Ajax” led the procession. During the match, Torcida fans ignited flares and threw objects onto the pitch, causing a stoppage of roughly ten minutes. Hajduk won the game 2-1.
Background & Context
The chants invoked the World War II-era Ustaša regime, a fascist movement that collaborated with Nazi Germany and was responsible for the persecution and murder of hundreds of thousands of ethnic Serbs, Jews, Roma and anti-fascist Croatians. Croatian football has a history of far-right symbolism: in 2015 fans painted a swastika on the pitch before a Euro 2016 qualifier, leading UEFA to dock Croatia a point. Critics have long accused Croatian authorities of tolerating such displays, arguing that they tarnish the nation’s sporting reputation.
Data & Statistics
- Reported arrests vary widely: one source cited 12 fans detained on charges of inciting violence and hatred; another reported almost 60 arrests, including both Croatian and Dutch nationals; a third source mentioned three individuals arrested on suspicion of public incitement under Article 325 of the Criminal Code.
- The match attracted approximately 31,273 spectators, including about 1,413 Ajax supporters.
- No violent incidents were recorded inside the stadium after the flare interruption.
Official Statements & Responses
- President Zoran Milanovic described the chants as “unacceptable and shameful,” urging swift action to demonstrate that glorification of Nazism and Ustaša ideology has no place in Croatia.
- Tena Simonovic Einwalter, Croatia’s ombudswoman for human rights, called the incident a “manifestation of hatred and intolerance.”
- The Israeli Embassy in Zagreb expressed that it was “deeply shocked” by the antisemitic incident and urged unequivocal condemnation by all authorities.
- The Croatian Football Federation also condemned the chants.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact number of arrests, ranging from three to nearly sixty individuals. Police have confirmed that investigations are ongoing, with additional suspects identified from video footage and being pursued under Article 325, which carries a potential three-year prison term. No final charges have been filed, and the full scope of participation in the chants remains unclear.
Why It Matters
The incident has reignited scrutiny of Croatia’s handling of far-right extremist expressions in sport. International condemnation—from the Israeli embassy to UEFA observers—highlights the potential for future sanctions that could affect the nation’s participation in European competitions. Domestically, the episode underscores tensions between nationalist fan groups and a government seeking to distance itself from the country’s fascist past, raising broader questions about how Croatia reconciles historical memory with contemporary democratic values.