Dozens arrested after fans and police clash at Croatia Cup semi-finals

Officials reported that more than 50 individuals were apprehended and 17 law enforcement officers were harmed during a confrontation between football enthusiasts and authorities in the coastal town of Split, Croatia.

The incident occurred after a match between Hajduk Split and Dinamo Zagreb in the national cup semi-finals, which ended in a 0-1 defeat for Hajduk Split.

The Torcida, a faction of Hajduk Split's passionate fan base, attempted to assault the visiting team and their supporters, resulting in a clash with stadium security.

Subsequently, the violence escalated as fans resorted to tearing seats from the stands and hurling them, along with flares, at the officers.

The unrest eventually spilled into the surrounding streets, where large groups repeatedly attacked the police by throwing flares, bottles, stones, and various other objects.

The statement confirmed that seventeen officers sustained injuries, primarily from the objects thrown at them, and three required hospitalization, including one with severe injuries.

Additionally, a police vehicle was damaged, 54 individuals were arrested, and firefighters were summoned to extinguish multiple fires ignited in nearby dumpsters.

The use of violence in sports was strongly denounced by officials, such as Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, who emphasized that there is no room for such behavior.

During the government's weekly cabinet meeting, he stated, "We will persistently oppose such incidents."

Mayor of Split, Ivica Puljak, expressed his disappointment towards the disturbing events, hoping that they will not be repeated in the city.

The match was attended by a crowd of 27,000 individuals, including 1,000 Dinamo Zagreb supporters, as reported by the police.

Football holds a significant place in Croatian culture, with the national team achieving the runner-up position in the 2018 World Cup.

However, like many other Balkan countries, Croatia has been grappling with hooliganism issues during matches, particularly involving the Bad Blue Boys of Dinamo Zagreb and Torcida of Hajduk Split.