Croatian officials and the Israeli embassy condemned anti-Semitic chants by Hajduk Split fans. The group marched before a match against Ajax.
Croatian leaders strongly criticized a group of football supporters this week. These fans chanted hateful slogans before a major sports event.
The incident happened in the coastal city of Split. Fans of the club Hajduk Split marched through the streets on Thursday.
They gathered before their team played against Ajax. This match occurred as part of the UEFA Conference League.
Reports from local media indicate the group used offensive language. They shouted anti-Semitic phrases during their march.
Also, the fans cheered for Adolf Hitler. They even invoked the name of the Ustasha regime.
The Ustasha was a pro-Nazi government in Croatia during World War II. These chants caused widespread anger among government officials.
Next, the Israeli embassy expressed deep concern about the behavior. They voiced shock regarding the hateful display in public.
Meanwhile, the group of fans involved is known as the Torcida. They marched through the town before the game started.
The chants specifically called to crush Jewish people. Such behavior has no place in modern football culture.
After that, leaders in Croatia condemned the actions of these supporters. They stand against all forms of hate speech.
Still, the event highlights ongoing issues with extremist groups in sports. Authorities face pressure to address this dangerous behavior.
Finally, the football community continues to react to the news. Many people demand stricter rules for fan conduct during matches.