The Croatian Football Federation's Referee Commission, led by Bertrand Layec, analyzed controversial situations from the second round of the HNL. It was confirmed that Istra 1961 was denied a penalty in the closing stages of their match against Hajduk, while Lokomotiva player Ivan Katić should have been shown a red card for pulling the referee by his shirt.
The Referee Commission of the Croatian Football Federation (HNS) released its analysis of controversial situations from the 2nd round of the SuperSport HNL on August 11, 2026, with two matches coming under the spotlight. Commission President Bertrand Layec and his colleagues concluded that Istra 1961 was denied a penalty in the 89th minute of their away match against Hajduk at Poljud, while VAR official Ivan Matić failed to intervene.
The match, which ended 2:2, featured two controversial incidents in Hajduk's penalty area. The first occurred in the 63rd minute when home goalkeeper Toni Silić, after a corner, clumsily attempted to catch the ball with his right hand and made contact with the shin of Istra forward Antonio Maurić. The Commission assessed that this contact "lacked intensity and, based on the footage, it is impossible to determine its impact on the attacker," thus supporting referee Mateo Erceg's decision not to award a penalty and the absence of a VAR intervention.
However, a completely different conclusion was reached for the situation in the 89th minute. Hajduk defender Alec van Hoorenbeeck, while jumping, struck Hamza Jaganjac in the head with his elbow. The Commission was clear: "During the jump, the defender jumps higher than the attacker and attempts to head the ball, but he illegally and excessively uses his left elbow, striking the attacker in the head, and ultimately did not even play/touch the ball." Layec and his colleagues expected a penalty kick and a yellow card for Van Hoorenbeeck, with a mandatory intervention from VAR official Ivan Matić, which did not happen.
In addition to the derby at Poljud, the match between Lokomotiva and Gorica was also analyzed. In the 45th minute, after already receiving a yellow card, Lokomotiva player Ivan Katić approached referee Škobić from behind and pulled him by his shirt. The Commission was unequivocal: "Such behavior by players will not be tolerated. Lokomotiva player number 8 should have been sent off for disrespecting a match official." It was emphasized that VAR should have intervened, or the referee should have requested an on-field review, with a reminder that "the authority of the referee and respect for him are crucial."
For the Pula-based club, this is already the second confirmed refereeing error against them in just two rounds of the new season. After having a legitimate goal wrongly disallowed in the first round against Lokomotiva, they have now been denied a penalty in the closing stages of the match at Poljud. The club has already stated that they seek only equal treatment and consistent criteria, and the Commission's official confirmation now lends weight to their claims that they have been deprived of important points in the early part of the championship.
