Sports

35 Injured As Football Fans, Police Clash In Croatia

Published

4 years ago

May 22, 2022

Editor

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

Sports

CRASH: Anthony Joshua Opens Up On Friends’ Death

Published

15 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Editor

Former world heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua, has said the death of his two friends posed a tough time for him.

Recall that a car conveying the boxer earlier this month, rammed into a stationary truck along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

The accident claimed that lives of his personal trainer, Kevin Latif Ayodele, and his strength and conditioning coach, Sina Ghami.

In a post on his verified Facebook page on Thursday, the former heavyweight champion said it was tough for him.

Joshua acknowledged that the incident was “even tougher” for the parents of the deceased.

He wrote, “Thank you for all the love and care you have shown my brothers. I didn’t even realise how special they are.

“I’ll just be walking with them and cracking jokes with them, not even knowing God kept me in the presence of great men.

“100% it’s tough for me, but I know it’s even tougher for their parents. I have a strong mind, and I believe God knows their hearts. May God have mercy on my brothers.”

Sports

NPFL: Kano Pillars Sack Two Players

Published

15 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Editor

Kano Pillars have announced the departure of the duo of Umar Sani Yakasai Samuel Tiza.

Yakasai and Tiza’s contracts were terminated by the Kano-based club.

The Sai Masu Gida confirmed the development in a statement on Wednesday.

“Kano Pillars FC wishes to announce that, following a mutual understanding, the club have amicably parted ways with striker Samuel Tiza and midfielder Umar Sani Yakasai,” Kano Pillars wrote in a statement confirming the players departure.

“Both players will now continue their careers elsewhere ahead of the second stanza of the 2025/2026 Nigeria Premier Football League season.”

Kano Pillars is expected to make up for their departure with the signing of new players.

Sports

AFCON: It’s Not Possible – NSC On Super Eagles Players Requesting Cash Payment

Published

15 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Editor

Chairman of the National Sports Commission, NSC, Shehu Dikko, has insisted that it is not possible to pay the Super Eagles of Nigeria their match bonus in cash.

Dikko stated this while clarifying the situation about Super Eagles match bonuses following reports of players threatening to boycott training and refusing to travel to Marrakech for Nigeria’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, quarter-final clash against Algeria on Saturday.

He spoke on Thursday during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief.

“Clearly, the players requested whether they could get some of these in cash, and they were told it’s not possible,” Dikko said.

“These bonuses are not paid in cash; they have to be paid through the bank, which is the normal procedure.

“The only ones they agreed to pay in cash are the daily allowances.”

The Super Eagles progressed to the last-8 after humiliating Mozambique 4-0 in the AFCON Round of 16.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Finance, Doris Nkiruka-Anite, had earlier disclosed that the Super Eagles players will start receiving their bonus money alerts today or tomorrow before the Algeria clash.