Torcida Clashes with Locals in Vilnius
Social media footage shows Hajduk fans fighting with local residents ahead of the Žalgiris match. The incident follows the burning of seats in Varaždin.
Social media footage shows Hajduk fans fighting with local residents ahead of the Žalgiris match. The incident follows the burning of seats in Varaždin.
Hajduk's footballers play their first match of the third qualifying round of the Conference League tonight at 7 PM against local side Žalgiris in Vilnius, but their fans have stolen the spotlight before the game. Videos of a physical altercation between Torcida members and locals have surfaced on social media.
According to a report by Latvian portal LNK, as carried by Index.hr, at least ten Torcida members attacked two Latvians in the city center. The footage shows the local duo managing to escape their attackers. Similar videos were also published by 24sata, noting that one fan in a white shirt ended up on the ground, after which, it seems, a Torcida member calmed the situation, although others in black shirts continued to issue threats.
Several hundred fans traveled with Hajduk to Vilnius, with around 200 expected at the stadium itself. Local police have not yet issued an official statement about the clash.
The incident in Vilnius is the latest in a series of inappropriate behavior by Hajduk fans. Last Sunday, following a defeat in the opening round of the Croatian championship, Torcida members set fire to plastic seats in the south stand of Varteks Stadium in Varaždin. According to 24sata, around 50 seats were burned and about ten were broken. NK Varaždin has since filed a criminal complaint for property damage.
Samir Toplak, a pundit for MAXSport television, commented on that event during his show, praising the behavior of Lithuanian fans at Dinamo's match against Kauno Žalgiris. "It's nice to see this, much nicer than setting a stand on fire. Great atmosphere, they celebrate with their own, aware they were powerless. They secured the Conference League, and this is an example for everyone," Toplak told Index.hr.
The Split club is looking for a favorable result against Žalgiris tonight ahead of the return leg. After being eliminated from Europa League qualifying by Cypriot side Pafos, this is their last chance to feature in the group stage of a European competition this season.
