Police Reveal Extent of Damage After Torcida Rampage
Following Varaždin's Victory Over Hajduk, the Incident in the Away Section Drew More Attention Than the Match Itself.
Following Varaždin's Victory Over Hajduk, the Incident in the Away Section Drew More Attention Than the Match Itself.
Varaždin police released the details of their investigation on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, after Hajduk fans, members of Torcida, set fire to seats in the away section of the stadium in Varaždin. The incident overshadowed the opening match of the new HNL season, in which NK Varaždin defeated Hajduk 2-1.
According to a statement from Varaždin police, the fire in the stands was caused by the use of open flames. "The investigation established that open flames, using marine signal flares and hand-made incendiary smoke bombs, set fire to a total of about fifty plastic seats, some of which were completely burned," the police said.
This turn of events casts a shadow over the start of the championship and raises questions about safety standards at Croatian stadiums. Although the match proceeded without major interruptions, the sight of burned seats after the referee's final whistle dominated media reports, pushing the home team's sporting success into the background.
The police investigation confirmed that some plastic seats were completely burned, with damage affecting about fifty in total. For now, there is no information on any arrests or filed misdemeanor charges. NK Varaždin, which shared photos of the scorched area on social media, has not yet commented on the extent of the material damage or whether it will seek compensation.
