Number of arrests linked to Ajax match in Split rises to 109
Croatian police are deploying around six hundred officers for Thursday evening’s Conference League match.
Follow-up to: 57 people detained after unrest around Ajax match in Split Thursday, 15 October 2026, 08:59
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According to Croatian police, 109 people have now been arrested around the match between Ajax and Hajduk Split. The authorities expect further tensions and are deploying around six hundred officers across the city and at the stadium.
Marko Srdarević, head of the police in Split-Dalmatia, announced the new figures on Thursday. According to Croatian media, he said that a total of 109 people had been taken in for questioning or administrative processing. This puts the number above the 57 arrests reported earlier on Thursday following unrest in central Split.
According to Srdarević, around five hundred supporters were involved in the disturbances during the night. He estimated the group consisted of around three hundred Hajduk supporters and two hundred Ajax supporters. Police say they kept groups apart and tried to prevent further confrontations.
The match is scheduled for Thursday evening at 18.45 at Poljud Stadium. Croatian police had already warned that many foreign supporters would come to Split. Pubs, shopkeepers and other businesses in the centre were asked to report suspicious situations that could lead to vandalism or a confrontation immediately.
The events follow several incidents since Ajax supporters arrived in the city. Croatian police reported on Wednesday that they had already detained people following incidents involving Dutch visitors. The precise role of each person detained and the balance between Dutch and Croatian supporters have not yet been made public.
Under the security measures, Ajax supporters will be taken by bus from a designated meeting point to the stadium. Additional police units are present in and around the centre. The authorities can stop people preventively or close off areas when they expect an immediate disruption of public order.
The police chief said incidents around high-risk matches occur in many cities and that the situation is not unique to Split. At the same time, the figures show that the match requires an exceptional deployment from the local authorities. The new arrest figures are provisional; any criminal prosecutions and decisions on bans from attending matches will follow later.
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The new arrest figures and police deployment are based on statements by Croatian police, presented with clear source attribution. Unknown details about individual suspects have not been filled in.
- confirmed According to police, the number of people arrested has risen to 109. — The head of the Split-Dalmatia police is quoted on this matter in tportal. source
- confirmed Around six hundred officers are being deployed. — This figure is reported in current coverage of the police briefing. source
- confirmed Ajax and Hajduk Split will play on 15 October at 18.45 at Poljud. — Croatian police published the match information in advance. source
Editor's note
The increase to 109 arrests and the deployment of around 600 officers have been attributed to Croatian police. The precise allegations and any prosecutions are not yet known.Sources
- Šef splitske policije o napadu na Nizozemce — tportal
- U Splitu se održava nogometna utakmica Hajduk - Ajax — Politie Split-Dalmatië
- Nakon velikih nereda: Riječi načelnika policije u Splitu nisu ohrabrujuće — SportSport.ba
- Split: Privedeno šest državljana Hrvatske — HRT
The story so far
- Wednesday, 14 October 2026, 08:58 Eighteen Ajax fans arrested in Split
- Thursday, 15 October 2026, 08:59 57 people detained after unrest around Ajax match in Split
- Thursday, 15 October 2026, 16:16 Number of arrests linked to Ajax match in Split rises to 109 (this article)
More on this in Dutch media
- NRC — „ajax hajduk split”
- NU.nl — „ajax hajduk split”
- De Telegraaf — „ajax hajduk split”