Confrontation at the Guest Stand
Hajduk came from a 1-2 loss to NK Varaždin to open the new season of SuperSport HNL. After the game, the players of Hajduk gathered on the center of the field and greeted their fans on the guest stand.
Shortly after, on the part of the guest stand where Torcida was located, the seats were set on fire. The smoke and flames were visible from the guest sector, which ended Hajduk's visit to Varaždin.
NK Varaždin's Response
Varaždin posted a message on social media after the game, along with photos of the burned stands: "The problem has been asked for in the ticket price, security measures and “inapplicable disturbances.“ Despite everything, the club decided to reduce the ticket price for the guest fans in order to calm down the tension and allow the game to take place in a sports atmosphere.
Torcida Blames Stadium Design for Confrontation
Torcida claimed that the fans were placed behind high barriers and in a space described as a cage. During the second half, members of Torcida shouted: “Represija pod krinkom sigurnosti, kavez na tribini je gašenje po ljudskosti!” (Pressure under the ring, the gate on the stand is an act of humanity!) They also chanted: “Jebo vas Dalić,” which was directed at Zlatko Dalić, a former Croatian coach who has been associated with Varaždin for years.
Torcida's Boycott
Before the game, the Split fan group Torcida announced a boycott of the match due to the ticket prices. Torcida sent an aggressive message: “Don't buy tickets for the match against the political pig NK Varaždin,” which you can read more about HERE. However, soon enough, Torcida posted a new message and cancelled the boycott.
