Police investigate antisemitic chanting before Hajduk Split's win over Ajax

Croatian police are investigating antisemitic chanting by Hajduk Split supporters before the club's 2-1 win over Ajax in the Conference League, UEFA's third-tier European club competition.

Footage published online shows a group of Hajduk fans gathered outside the stadium in Split chanting about Auschwitz and in support of Adolf Hitler. The videos circulated before kick-off and were shared widely after the game.

The chanting took place during a supporters' march to the stadium. That march was led by a yellow car carrying a coffin marked "Ajax" on its roof.

Ajax, the Amsterdam club, are historically associated with the Jewish community. That history has left the club exposed to antisemitic abuse from sections of rival support, at home and abroad.

Local police told BBC Sport they had already made arrests in connection with the chanting. Officers said several further individuals had been identified and were being tracked down.

On the pitch, Hajduk won the match 2-1. Play was stopped for around 10 minutes because of fireworks in the stands. The delay broke up the flow of the game before Hajduk closed out the victory.

Hajduk are one of Croatia's best-known clubs. They finished second in Croatia's top flight last season and carry large home support in Split.

The Croatian government said it strongly condemned unacceptable chants glorifying the Nazi regime recorded among a portion of fans before the match in Split. Croatia's ombudswoman, Tena Simonovic Einwalter, called the incident a manifestation of hatred and intolerance. The ombudswoman is an independent official appointed by parliament to safeguard human rights.

Hajduk posted an apology on social media after the game. That statement did not specifically mention antisemitic chanting.

Croatian football has dealt with cases of discriminatory behaviour before. In 2015, the Croatian Football Federation apologised after a swastika was marked on the pitch before Croatia's Euro 2016 qualifier against Italy. A later Nations League match against England was played under a stadium ban imposed after discriminatory behaviour by supporters against France, with only children and accompanying adults allowed to attend.

What makes this stand out is the split between the night on the field and the noise before it. Hajduk earned a notable European win against famous opponents. For fans, this means that result will now sit alongside a police investigation, arrests and a national debate about hatred in the stands.