At least 50 individuals were arrested and a minimum of three police officers were taken to the hospital after soccer enthusiasts clashed with authorities following a game in the coastal town of Split in Croatia, officials reported on Thursday.
The unrest began on Wednesday night when supporters of Hajduk Split stormed onto the field after their team lost 0-1 to Dinamo Zagreb in the national cup semi-finals.
The Torcida, a segment of Hajduk Split's passionate fanbase, attempted to assail the visiting team and its supporters, resulting in a confrontation with stadium security, according to a statement from the police.
Following their retreat back into the stands, the violence extended to the streets around the football stadium, where groups of people repeatedly attacked police by hurling flares, bottles, stones, and other objects, as indicated in the statement.
The statement also mentioned that at least three officers were admitted to the hospital, without providing details about the nature of their injuries.
Additionally, one police vehicle was damaged, 51 individuals were apprehended, and firefighters were called to extinguish several fires ignited in nearby dumpsters at the scene.
The mayor of Split, Ivica Puljak, strongly denounced the incident, stating that there was no justification for the violence.
On Facebook, he expressed regret over the distressing events and expressed hope that such incidents would not recur in the city.
Football remains a significant passion in Croatia, which saw its national team finish as the runner-up in the 2018 World Cup.
In Croatia, as well as in multiple nations across the Balkans, there has been a longstanding issue with hooliganism at matches, with groups like Dinamo Zagreb's Bad Blue Boys and Hajduk Split's Torcida standing out as major offenders.
AFP
