ZAGREB, Croatia – In a dramatic turn of events on Saturday, Croatian law enforcement detained over 140 individuals following a violent altercation between rival football fan groups, resulting in several injuries.
The scuffle erupted in the coastal city of Split and was reportedly pre-arranged ahead of the football clash between Dinamo Zagreb and Hajduk Split, two of Croatia’s most prominent football clubs. The rivalry between these clubs is longstanding, and incidents of this nature are frequently associated with their matches.
Prompt action by the police helped in curtailing the violence, with 146 individuals being detained. These individuals are now facing potential criminal charges as authorities seek to address the situation. Among the injured were four fans, two of whom sustained serious injuries. Additionally, a police officer was hurt during the commotion.
Prime Minister of Croatia, Andrej Plenkovic, expressed his concern over the incident, stating that such behavior is a poor example for the younger generation and should not be linked to the pride and spirit of either Hajduk or Dinamo.
The intense rivalry between the Dinamo Zagreb and Hajduk Split continues to be a challenging issue, as clashes between their supporters are a common occurrence, especially preceding their competitive matches. The incident underscores the need for heightened security measures and awareness around events involving these teams to prevent further disorder.