Eighteen Ajax fans arrested in Split
Croatian police said they seized objects suitable for an attack, a day before the match against Hajduk Split.
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Police in Split arrested eighteen Ajax supporters on Tuesday ahead of the match against Hajduk Split. Police said objects suitable for an attack were found among the group; no decision has yet been made on their precise nature or any possible prosecution.
The group was taken away by police on Tuesday afternoon on the Riva in Split for further investigation. According to Croatian police, there was a suspicion of unlawful conduct and objects that could be used in an attack were seized. The arrest does not mean that those involved have been convicted.
The Croatian broadcaster HRT reported, citing information from the local news website Dalmatinski portal, that melee weapons had allegedly been found. That wording does not appear in the public police statement, which refers only to objects suitable for an attack. The distinction is relevant while the investigation is still under way.
The arrests took place a day before the Hajduk Split–Ajax match in the first round of the Conference League group stage. UEFA has scheduled the match for Thursday 15 October at 18.45 in the Poljud stadium.
Police had announced additional security measures in advance because of the expected arrival of many travelling supporters. Around the stadium, several roads will be closed or have restricted access from 14.45 on Thursday. The measures apply, among other places, to parts of Zrinsko-frankopanska street and Put Supavla.
According to HRT, the police intervention was intended to prevent a possible conflict between groups of supporters. It has not been established whether the arrested Ajax fans were involved in a specific plan for violence. Nor is it known what consequences the arrests will have for their attendance at the match.
For Ajax and the Croatian authorities, the focus is therefore not only on the match itself, but also on keeping public order manageable around the stadium and in the centre of Split. At the time of publication, no new information about possible charges or court decisions was known.
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The arrests and security measures were confirmed by HRT and the Croatian police. The text maintains the distinction between the broader wording used by police and the unofficial report about weapons.
- confirmed Eighteen Ajax supporters were arrested in Split on 13 October. — HRT reported this on 13 October 2026. source
- confirmed Police referred to objects suitable for an attack. — This appears in the official police statement. source
- confirmed Hajduk Split and Ajax will play in the Conference League on 15 October at 18.45. — The match is listed in UEFA's official schedule. source
- confirmed Additional security measures and traffic restrictions were announced around the stadium. — Police published the measures and announced road closures. source
Editor's note
The arrests, the number of eighteen, and the police announcement about seized objects and additional security measures are certain. The precise nature of the objects and any possible charges had not yet been officially established.Sources
- U Splitu privedeno 18 navijača Ajaxa, pronađeno hladno oružje — HRT
- U četvrtak se u Splitu održava nogometna utakmica UEFA Konferencijske lige između HNK Hajduk i FC Ajax — Policijska uprava splitsko-dalmatinska
- Conference League league phase fixtures by team — UEFA