Die Welt hört von Torcida's schändlichem Verhalten: "Steh auf, Adolf!"

A football match between Hajduk Split and Ajax in Croatia sparked international outrage after members of the Hajduk fan group Torcida were caught chanting anti-Semitic slogans, including "Rise, Adolf." The game, which ended in a 2-1 victory for Hajduk, was interrupted for 12 minutes due to pyrotechnics used by the fans. The incidents occurred both before and after the match, with reports indicating that some chants included references to Adolf Hitler and the Auschwitz concentration camp. The match took place at the Poljud stadium in Split on Thursday. According to local media, members of Torcida walked toward the stadium chanting offensive slogans such as "Break, break Jews," "Auschwitz, Auschwitz," "Rise, Adolf," and "Come on, Ustashas." A red Golf car led the procession with a cross on its roof bearing the word "Ajax." Israeli media highlighted the historical connection between Ajax and the Jewish community in Amsterdam. Some Ajax fans have long used terms like "super Jews" and Jewish symbols as part of their identity, often as a response to anti-Semitic chants from rival clubs' supporters. However, many of these Ajax fans are not Jewish themselves, making the club a frequent target of anti-Semitic remarks from other groups. Croatian police confirmed that they recorded chants indicative of criminal behavior during the fan march and are conducting an investigation to identify those responsible. Reports suggest that members of Torcida attacked Ajax fans on the Riva in Split the night before the match. Police intervened to prevent further violence, detaining 57 individuals following a large confrontation involving hundreds of Hajduk and Ajax supporters. Following the match, Hajduk issued a statement apologizing for the behavior of some fans who disrupted the game with pyrotechnics. They expressed regret to the organizers, Ajax's management, and players, emphasizing that they did not want Europe to remember them for such incidents. The club stated it had taken all necessary measures but acknowledged the situation was unacceptable. International and especially Dutch media have extensively covered the incidents over several days, highlighting the tensions among fan groups ahead of the Conference League match. The Dutch public service broadcaster NOS reported that more than 100 people were involved in the nighttime disturbances, requiring extensive police intervention. Ajax had already issued special safety warnings to its fans before traveling to Split. Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković addressed the incidents, stating he expects the police to identify those responsible for the chants and for courts to take appropriate action. The Croatian government condemned the behavior as a violation of sports and democratic values upheld by modern Croatia and emphasized that the police are investigating to identify and prosecute those involved. The match marked Hajduk's return to European competition after a 16-year absence, with the Poljud stadium selling out within 50 minutes. Despite the controversy surrounding the fan behavior, Hajduk managed to secure a narrow victory against Ajax. The game was affected by weather conditions and fan-related disruptions, leading to multiple interruptions throughout the match.