Croatia Arrests Hajduk Split Fans Over Anti-Semitic Chants Before Ajax Match
Croatian police arrested at least 12 Hajduk Split fans after an anti-Semitic rally and clashes with officers before a UEFA Conference League tie with Ajax that Hajduk ultimately won 2-1.
Police in the Croatian city of Split arrested at least 12 Hajduk Split supporters on Friday, 17 October 2026, a day after fans gathered in a pre-match rally shouting insults against Jewish people and chanting in praise of Nazi leader Adolf Hitler before the UEFA Conference League tie against the Dutch club Ajax. Supporters marched behind a car carrying a mock coffin emblazoned with the Ajax name, a club long associated with Amsterdam's Jewish community. Fans then clashed with riot police and forced a 12-minute interruption of the match by throwing flares and other objects onto the pitch. Despite the trouble, Hajduk went on to beat Ajax 2-1 in the third-tier European competition – their first major European night at home in 16 years. Croatian President Zoran Milanović and the conservative government condemned the behaviour and demanded sanctions, while the Croatian Football Association said the incident had damaged the national game's reputation. The Israeli embassy in Zagreb also criticised the chants. Police said the 12 fans faced charges of inciting violence and hatred, and more arrests were expected.
