“Zebec and Križarić will be sanctioned and received a negative rating. We want VAR, but it is not possible next season,” says Kulušić.
"In addition to the two controversial details at the expense of Hajduk, the refereeing in the Cup final was very good. But what is valid now is that Hajduk was damaged, and it’s true that these were complicated and difficult decisions," said the head of the HNS Referee commission Ante Kulušić, and announced sanctions for the chief referees of the final, Mario Zebec and his first assistant Borut Križarić, reports Goal.hr on May 24, 2018.
"We are aware that both situations were very complicated, on the border, and that it happened in a fraction of a second, but this does not justify their mistake. The two have received negative ratings and will be sanctioned so that they won’t referee a few matches at the start of the season, but, I repeat, I realize that this is not comforting for Hajduk.”
"I'm aware that Hajduk was damaged and that we cannot make up for anything lost. Those who watched on TV were also not sure if the first call was offside and whether it was a penalty. And how can the referee see this? We will work intensively on the introduction of the VAR (Video Assistant Referee) system; it is obviously the only possible solution for us.”
But for everyone pushing that video analysis of controversial details is quickly introduced in Croatia, the system could not be included in the next season.
"The Fifa rules state that VAR has to be tested for six months to a year. I just hope that VAR will deliver good results in the World Cup and that this process will be accelerated and will be a condition for all national federations, and ours.”
Marijan Kustić, the HNS Director of Competitions, Football Development and Infrastructure, also spoke on the mishaps in the Cup final.
"The Referee Commission will make an analysis, it will go to the Executive Board, and we will decide what happened and how we will move forward. If anyone is guilty, there will be a sanction, and if we do not accept the report, we will dismiss the Commission!"
"We cannot object to Dinamo, they deserved to win, but yes, there were mistakes. We are waiting for the report, we will respect the procedure, and we will certainly react.”
