HNS Analyzes Controversial Decisions from Round 2
The Referee Commission has released an analysis of three situations from the matches Lokomotiva - Gorica and Hajduk - Istra 1961, highlighting VAR lapses and the need for stricter sanctions.
The Referee Commission has released an analysis of three situations from the matches Lokomotiva - Gorica and Hajduk - Istra 1961, highlighting VAR lapses and the need for stricter sanctions.
The Referee Commission of the Croatian Football Federation (HNS) published a detailed analysis of refereeing decisions from the second round of the SuperSport HNL on August 11, 2026. Three controversial situations were put under the spotlight, with the Commission stating that in two of them, VAR intervention was lacking.
The first analyzed situation occurred during stoppage time of the first half in the match between Lokomotiva and Gorica, officiated by Škobić. Following a confrontation between Gorica's number 24 and Lokomotiva's number 8, the referee correctly showed both players a yellow card. However, just seconds later, the Lokomotiva player approached the referee from behind and pulled his jersey.
The Commission was unequivocal: such behavior is unacceptable and warranted a sending-off. "Lokomotiva's number 8 should have been sent off for showing disrespect towards an official, especially after being cautioned just seconds earlier," the analysis states. Since the on-field referee failed to grasp the severity of the offense, the Commission believes that VAR should have intervened and recommended an on-field review, thereby protecting the referee's authority.
The second situation refers to the 63rd minute of the match between Hajduk and Istra 1961, officiated by Erceg. After Hajduk's goalkeeper failed to hold onto the ball, Istra's number 8 attempted to strike the ball towards goal. At that moment, the goalkeeper's right hand made contact with the attacker's shin.
Although contact was made, the Commission concluded that it "lacked intensity" and that it was "impossible to determine its impact on the attacker." Therefore, the decision not to have VAR intervene was upheld, as the referee's initial call was not a clear and obvious error.
The third situation, from the 89th minute of the same match, drew the most criticism from the Commission. During a challenge for the ball in Hajduk's penalty area, the home defender, while jumping with the intention of heading the ball, struck the head of Istra 1961's number 8 with his elbow, without making any contact with the ball.
The Commission characterized this contact as a "reckless elbow strike" and clearly stated that a penalty kick and a yellow card for the defender were expected. In this case as well, it was emphasized that VAR should have called the referee to review the footage to correct the on-field error.
Through this analysis, the HNS sends a clear message about the necessity of respecting referees' authority and the consistent application of VAR protocols, with the aim of raising the standard of officiating in domestic football.
