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35 Injured As Football Fans, Police Clash In Croatia

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A clash between police and hundreds of football fans in central Croatia left 35 people injured, most of whom were officers, officials said on Sunday.

Fighting broke out late Saturday as police escorted some 1,600 Hajduk Split “Torcida” fans returning home to the central coastal town of Split after a match against arch-rivals Dinamo Zagreb in the Croatian capital.

The clash happened after the convoy suddenly stopped, blocked the Zagreb-Split highway traffic and several hundred fans attacked officers, police official Damir Baric told reporters.

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At least two Hajduk Split hardcore fans sustained wounds from officers’ firearms but the injuries were not life-threatening, police said.

“The attack was carried out in a rather aggressive way, with bottles, stones, chains, tables, fire extinguishers… torches”, Baric said.

As fans refused to obey police orders, officers fired several shots into the air and the road as a warning to stop, he said.

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According to Zagreb police head Marko Rasic, police believe the two fans sustained ricochet gunshot injuries.

READ ALSO: JUST IN: Son, Salah Share EPL Top Scorer Award

Noble wants fans return to stadium
A total of 20 officers were wounded and police arrested 43 fans so far.

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Hajduk Split fans who travelled to Zagreb for the match eventually did not attend as they were not allowed to bring in banners and other props.

Authorities closed the section of the road where the clash took place to traffic overnight and Sunday morning.

Dinamo Zagreb had already secured the national league title before winning Saturday’s game, the last in this season’s national championship, 3-1.

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Hajduk Split was the runner-up.

Croatia is known for the success of its national team but also for its hooligans who are among Europe’s most notorious.

AFP.

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JUST IN: Full Draw For 2026 World Cup Group Stages Confirmed

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The draw for the group stage of the 2026 World Cup has been conducted.

It took place at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., with US President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino in charge.

There will be 48 teams at next year’s tournament, to be played across the United States, Mexico and Canada.

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All the participating countries were grouped into 12 groups of four.

Here is the full draw:

READ ALSO:Trump Unveils Fast-track Visas For World Cup Ticket Holders

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Group A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Winner Play-off D
Group B: Canada, Winner Play-off A, Qatar, Switzerland
Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
Group D: United States, Paraguay, Australia, Winner Play-off C
Group E: Germany, Curaçao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Winner Play-off B, Tunisia
Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
Group H: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
Group I: France, Senegal, Winner Play-off 2, Norway
Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
Group K: Portugal, Winner Play-off 1, Colombia, Uzbekistan
Group L: England, Croatia, Panama, Ghana

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EPL: Mikel Obi Reveals Why Chelsea Failed To Beat Arsenal in 1-1 Draw

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Former Super Eagles midfielder, John Mikel Obi, has claimed Chelsea failed to defeat Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday, because of an early red card to Moises Caicedo.

The two London rivals played out a pulsating 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge.

Caicedo was sent off in the 38th minute following a VAR check.

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READ ALSO:EPL: Why Arsenal Could Win The Title This Season – Guardiola

But it was Chelsea who took the lead after the break, thanks to Trevor Chalobah’s header.

But the Gunners equalized through Mikel Merino.

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So far this season, Chelsea have received seven red cards in 20 games across all competitions this season.

READ ALSO:EPL: Alan Smith Names Only Two Clubs To Compete For Title

That’s four red cards this season; it’s not good enough. I’ve spoken about it; the manager needs to talk with the players, because it’s costing us games as well,” Mikel Obi said on his podcast.

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“If you look at that game, if we finished with eleven men, I think we could’ve won. Maybe not easily, but comfortably, we could’ve secured a win.”

 

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EPL: Slot Reveals When Salah Will Leave For AFCON

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Liverpool manager, Arne Slot, has revealed that Mohamed Salah was “not happy” to be dropped for their 2-0 win at West Ham on Sunday.

Salah was named on the bench at the London Stadium for the Premier League fixture.

Slot took the bold decision, as he looked to arrest a poor run of form, that saw the Reds lose nine of 12 matches.

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READ ALSO:EPL: Berbatov Names Team That Can ‘Surprise’ Arsenal In Title Race

Salah was not summoned from the bench for the entire 90 minutes, as goals from Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo sealed victory.

It was a normal reaction for a player who is good enough to play for us,” Slot said.

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“I say that mildly as he’s been so outstanding for this club and will be in the future. He wasn’t happy he wasn’t starting but he wasn’t the only one.”

READ ALSO:EPL: Man Utd Suffer Fresh Injury Blow Ahead Of Everton Clash

Salah could yet return to the starting line-up as Liverpool host Sunderland in the Premier League on Wednesday night.

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The 33-year-old will remain available for the next four matches, before he leaves to join Egypt’s squad for the African Cup of Nations.

“It’s 15 December,” Slot confirmed.

But always in these situations there is the player and the national team involved and there are always talks about what is best for all three of us.”

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