June 10, 2020 - HNK Hajduk attended a meeting held by HNS this week on the topic of a new TV rights agreement for Croatian football.

Hajduk announced on its website that at the meeting, the received offers were only presented in principle. The most financially generous one, which is for a period of 10 years, was selected (7 fixed + 3 extension options).

"The President of the Management Board Marin Brbić, as a representative of HNK Hajduk, requested full information about the bidder with the most generous offer to determine all the circumstances to make the best decision, which includes an assessment of the reliability and quality of the business of the partner with whom such a long-term contract is concluded, as is common in the business world.

Despite the request of President Brbić, HNS did not offer any information to confirm the creditworthiness or business references of the said bidder. Shortly after the meeting, the media reported that it was a company founded just three months ago with a share capital of £6,000, which applied for the tender without any bank guarantees for the submitted bid, which only confirms the justification of President Brbic's request.

HNK Hajduk believes that a serious partner must give a bank guarantee for the first year for such a long time immediately upon concluding the contract and buy the rights from the next season by paying the existing owner of TV rights, which would be logical - for both new bidders and clubs of the Croatian First League. Thus, we remain two years in anticipation and uncertainty whether the mentioned agreement will be realized at all, especially since at that time none of the signatories of the contract has to be in office, bearing in mind the HNS elections that await us next year.

The current amount that clubs receive is miserable and below any level, the offered increase is just a correction of an anomaly from the previous contract, and the key problem remains the contract term of 10 years. It is an indisputable fact that the value of TV rights has jumped by 65% globally in the last four years alone and this is the best indicator of how harmful it is for clubs to sign a contract for 7 or 10 years, and HNK Hajduk warns about that all the time.

We are aware that for some clubs, this growth represents a huge jump in their budget, but we also believe that the interest in our league is great and that it has a greater value than has been valorized so far. The fact that 430,000 people watched the second game of the Croatian Football Cup semifinals on HRT speaks volumes about the interest in our league.

Finally, HNK Hajduk expressed dissatisfaction with the availability of information about the selected bidder, the fact that the clubs were denied the right to negotiate TV rights as their own product and the duration of the new contract. Accordingly, President Brbić announced at the meeting that HNK Hajduk will submit a request to independently dispose of the TV rights of HNL matches in which it is the host, and that it will translate this into a formal request to HNS. If Hajduk's request is rejected according to the usual form, the Club will resort to all available legal means to protect its interests."

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June. 8, 2020 - The 27th round of the Croatian First League was played from June 5 to 7, 2020, nearly three months after the corona crisis put the Championship on hold. This round saw wins for Dinamo, Rijeka and Hajduk, who take the top three spots in the table. 

Hajduk v. Inter Zapresic (2:1)

Hajduk and Inter opened the 27th round at Poljud Stadium in Split for the first game of the HNL after 88 days on June 5, 2020. 

Inter's Mamut put them in the lead in the 37th minute for 0:1 just before the half, though a Hajduk penalty scored by Caktas and an Inter red card made it 1:1 in the 60th. Hajduk sealed the victory in the 7th minute of added time thanks to a header by Dimitrov for 2:1.

Hajduk is currently in 3rd place with 48 points, while Inter is in 9th with 17. 

Slaven Belupo v. Gorica (0:0)

Belupo and Gorica met on Saturday, June 6, 2020, at the City Stadium in Koprivnica. 

Neither team was able to score, and the game ended 0:0.

Slaven Belupo is currently in 7th place with 27 points, while Gorica is in 6th with 36. 

Varazdin v. Dinamo Zagreb (1:3)

Varazdin and Dinamo met on June 6, 2020, at the NK Varteks Stadium. 

A goal for Ademi in the 13th minute and a penalty for Petkovic in the 18th made the game 0:2 for Dinamo at the half. Obregon made it 1:2 in the 79th minute, though Marin's goal in the 4th minute of added time gave Dinamo the 1:3 win. 

Varazdin is currently in the last place with 10 points, while Dinamo is in first with 68. 

Istra 1961 v. Rijeka (1:3)

Istra and Rijeka met in Pula on Sunday, June 7, 2020. 

Rijeka's Loncar scored in the 5th minute for 0:1 at the half. Colak increased Rijeka's lead to 0:2 in the 70th, though Istra came back with one in the 88th thanks to Peric-Komsic for 1:2. Muric sealed the victory for Rijeka in the 3rd minute of added time for 1:3. 

Istra is currently in 8th place with 19 points, while Rijeka is in 2nd with 50.  

Lokomotiva v. Osijek (0:1)

Lokomotiva and Osijek closed out the 27th round on Sunday, June 7, 2020, in Zagreb. 

The only goal of the game came from Bockaj in the 22nd minute for 0:1 Osijek. 

Lokomotiva is currently in 4th place with 46 points, while Osijek is in 5th with 45. 

You can see the full HNL table here. 

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June 5, 2020 - After a nearly three-month break due to COVID-19, the Croatian Football League returned on Friday for the 27th round match between Hajduk and Inter Zapresic at Poljud. TCN was there. 

While the football season in Croatia continued with the semifinals of the Croatian Cup last weekend, football fans in Croatia could hardly wait for the return of the Croatian Championship. The last game of the Croatian First League was played on March 9, when Lokomotiva celebrated in Gorica 3:1.

Exactly 88 days later, Hajduk was hungry for points to ensure second place and the Champions League qualifiers against the second-to-last place Inter, a club fighting to stay alive. Hajduk had celebrated in seven consecutive games against Zapresic in Split before tonight.

TCN reported live from a much quieter Poljud on Friday, as only journalists and a select few others were invited to witness the return of Hajduk outside of club members. Temperatures were checked upon entering the stadium, and no dilly-dallying was allowed - you were meant to go straight to your seat once inside. 

The pre-game protocol was also a bit different for players, who were not allowed to line-up or touch hands before kick-off. 

While the raging jugo wind and quiet stands didn't help either side on Friday, Hajduk dominated most of the first half - and Torcida even found a way to cheer outside of the stadium in the 25th minute - with fireworks! 

Unfortunately, Torcida's display couldn't help much - Inter's Mamut scored from a free-kick in the 37th minute for 0:1, which was how the first half ended. 

The ref consulted VAR in the 56th minute which saw a Hajduk penalty and a red card for Inter's Soldo. Caktas missed, though was given a second chance after the ref called that the keeper was off his line. Caktas scored this time for 1:1. 

Hajduk spent the remainder of the match in Inter's half, missing key chances for 2:1. And then it happened in the 7th minute of added time - Dimitrov scored for 2:1, which was the final score of the game. 

Slaven Belupo and Gorica will play on Saturday at 7 pm, and Varaždin and Dinamo at 9 pm, while the matches between Istra 1961 - Rijeka and Lokomotiva - Osijek will end the round on Sunday.

The Championship continues without spectators, but since the epidemiological situation in Croatia is good, the return of fans to the stadiums can be expected.

You can see the full HNL table HERE.

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page. 

June 4, 2020 - After several months away, the Croatian First League will return this week with the match between Hajduk and Inter Zapresic at Poljud on Friday at 8 pm.

This means that the pre-game press conferences have returned, but not in the standard form. Hajduk coach Igor Tudor addressed the press via Zoom on Wednesday. We are transmitting the meeting via Index.hr.

What are the expectations and what kind of Hajduk will we see?

"We are all looking forward to the game; that's why we work and live. It's a unique story to play without an audience, and it's never been pleasant for me. It's an aggravating circumstance for the home team. We have to justify the role of favorites on Friday. At the moment, we have 10 games, and we want to win each one. I think the players are in good shape; they are motivated, they are eager. "

Who stood out the most during the break?

"I never like to point out individuals, but there will be three or four new names on Friday. They have imposed themselves during this break, they are here, but in football, everything changes in a few moments. I want to get a winning mentality from the team. Every rehearsal and every addition better. I think this generation is missing that in general, we saw it in Jordan's documentary 'The Last Dance'. I want to see it and we're going in the direction of improving it."

Will there be a loudspeaker at the stadium during matches?

"We'll see. Normally it's not that, it has nothing to do with real cheering, it has pros and cons, it kills that sick silence, but on the other hand, you hear some weird noise. I really hope the audience comes back in a few rounds and we continue going in the right direction."

What is the impact of the break on the state of the team, plans for the transition period and the summer?

"As it is for us, so it is for everyone else. In time, everything will be better, in terms of the whole game. An important segment is the selection of players, and we overestimate the role of coaches in such things. You have to be a magician for that, considering the budgets that Croatian clubs have."

Any comment on the Croatian Cup semifinal?

"It didn't look bad; there was a good rhythm, a good Slaven in the first half, Lokomotiva solved the game thanks to individual class. The referees overshadowed the great game between Rijeka and Osijek; the boys in black were the best individuals there. Osijek solved that game already, but the boys in black disagreed."

What about Inter?

"We looked at them a bit in two friendly matches. We will be asked the most here. We have to run full throttle from the first minute and sort things out as soon as possible. We're going to win."

What about the match schedule?

"The schedule is not tight, and it's good that we have five substitutions. This way, while playing every five days, it's not bad."

Did you hear from Bjelica after his dismissal at Dinamo? In addition, will these referee problems ever change in the HNL?

"Neno is great, the enemy never sleeps, not even across the border, and he was surprised by a neighbor from Bosnia. As for the refereeing, Hajduk has always beared the brunt of the refs, and now that is Osijek. We give them support. In the last 30 years, what should not be happening is happening, the refs who should be invisible are always here. That can change immediately, but a few people decide it. I welcome the suspension of refs, whoever makes a mistake has to suffer the consequences. The HNL has a long, beautiful history around that, but I hope it goes in a better direction as a lot of things in this state are going in a better direction."

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

May 27, 2020 - HNK Hajduk has decided to thank its loyal season ticket holders in a special way for the 2019/20 season.

"Considering that according to the decision of the competent authorities, our season ticket holders will not be able to use their right to watch the matches at Poljud until the end of the season, the Club designed the project "Uvik u Srcu" (Always in the heart) whose goal is to gather all season ticket holders in one place to show them love and respect in moments when the team cannot play in front of their fans.

In addition, as a sign of gratitude to its loyal subscribers, Hajduk has provided a unique 20 percent discount on the entire range of products in all fan shops (Poljud and City) and through the webshop, which they can use until the end of the current season.

All the names of season ticket holders for this season will be inscribed in the thousands of hearts that will adorn the East of Poljud Stadium, all to at least figuratively compensate for their absence, support and roar coming from the stands of Poljud.

All those season tickets holders who, due to the protection of privacy and personal data, do not want their name to appear among the many red-blue hearts, can send their name and surname to the e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. until Friday, May 29 at noon. Namely, on that day, every season ticket holder's heart will get a place "under the sun" on the East Stands, which will be ready for the first referee's whistle against Inter Zapresic, the first opponent of the Hajduk in the continuation of the season," writes Hajduk on its official website. 

Hajduk and Inter Zapresic will open the 27th round of the Croatian First League on June 5, 2020, at 8 pm at Poljud Stadium. 

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

May 2, 2020 - Reputable British magazine FourFourTwo has compiled a list of the 100 greatest coaches of all time. Hajduk legend Tomislav Ivic is among them.

Gol.hr reports that FourFourTwo has put together its list of the 100 greatest coaches of all time. Being one of the most respected football magazines, this list has drawn a lot of attention. The main criteria were trophies won, tactical ideas and motivational abilities.

While the list has not yet been published in full, Hajduk announced that the English football magazine named Tomislav Ivic as the only Croatian in this truly elected society. 

Ivic was born in Split on June 30, 1933. As a Hajduk coach, he won the Yugoslavian Championships in the 1973/74, 1974/75 and 1978/79 seasons, and the National Cup in 1972, 1973, 1974 and 1975/76 season.

He coached the biggest clubs in the world, won titles and cups, and with the Portuguese Porto in 1987, won the UEFA Super Cup and Intercontinental Cup.

He received the golden badge and charter of the city of Paris, which he received from the hand of Mayor Jacq Chirac in 1990. He passed away in Split, June 24, 2011.

The Torcida award 'Hajduk Heart', by which fans select a club player who showed the most combative and sacrificial play during the season, was awarded to a non-Hajduk player for the first time. Namely, it was awarded precisely to Tomislav Ivic posthumously in 2011. 

Last year, Ivic was ranked 42nd in the best football coaches of all time in by the France Football selection.

While Ivic is ranked 60th on the FourFourTwo list, Gol.hr reports that the magazine put former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson in first. The Scottish coach has won a total of 49 trophies in his coaching career with Manchester United and Aberdeen.

With Manchester United, he was the Premier League champion 13 times and European champion twice. He is the manager with the longest working experience in the history of the club from Old Trafford (from 1986 to 2013).

Behind Ferguson were two famous Dutchmen, Rinus Michels and Johan Cruyff. The two are considered by many to be the coaches who have most influenced the development of the football game and have been very successful. Michels created the great Ajax in the 70s and Cruyff Barcelona in the 90s.

Pep Guardiola is the only current coach to rank in the top ten. Guardiola was placed in the high fifth place.

Only one non-European coach is among the top ten. This is the famous Helenio Herrera, who was born in Argentina but later took French nationality. The great Ukrainian Valery Lobanovsky is the only one among the top ten to come from the former Eastern Bloc.

Scotland has as many as three representatives among the top ten. In addition to Ferguson, there is Matt Busby and Bill Shankley. Busby created the great Manchester United in the 50s and 60s, and Shankley Liverpool in the 60s and early 70s.

Barcelona boasts having the most coaches in one career period: Michels, Cruyff and Guardiola. In the top ten is Arrigo Sachi of Italy and Ernst Happel of Austria.

Jose Mourinho failed to make it into the top 10. The Portuguese manager ranked 12th, while, for example, perhaps the most promising German expert Juergen Klopp is currently 30th. 

Other notable names include Brian Clough in 11th, Vicente del Bosque in 15th, Ottmar Hitzfeld in 17th, Carlo Ancelotti in 18th, Louis van Gaal in 20th, Bob Paisley in 22nd, Arsene Wenger in 23rd, Fabio Capello in 24th, and Diego Simeone in 43rd. 

The full list will be released in the June 2020 edition of the FourFourTwo magazine.

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

April 29, 2020 - The Italian edition of Eurosport has dedicated its cover to Hajduk, which they describe as "a club that knew how to say no!"

"Split is the city that gave the most Olympians and Olympic medal winners per capita, a total of 74. Zeljko Jerkov, Duje Krstulovic, Toni Kukoc, Dino Radja, Goran Ivanisevic, Mario Ancic, Blanka Vlasic, Vladimir Beara, an endless array of water polo players," reads the introduction as reported by Gol.hr.

"During the award for the best European goalkeeper, the legendary Lav Jašin said, 'for me the best is Beara'. Beara was one of the best in the world, but he didn't live in the era of television and his tricks went into stories first and then into legend. He did not lay down the live wall for free kicks because he wanted to see the rival. When he moved to Belgrade's Red Star after three championships with Hajduk, many took his word for it. Why? Because Hajduk was not just a football team. We know you've read this phrase many times and you wonder why it would be different now.”

Eurosport further recalls the club's founding and the fact that the club's name was not chosen by chance, but because the Hajduks fought against the Ottoman army in the Balkans and defended the population against the Turks.

"Many say that the union between Hajduk and Split is the closest symbiosis between the team and the city that exists worldwide. There is graffiti on every corner, there are flags in almost every car, and the soul of the city itself is embodied by Bili, the nickname of Hajduk," the Italian media points out, then recalling the most glorious moments of Hajduk's past that took place outside the football pitch.

"The club, which was founded in the most anarchic city on the Croatian coast, could not obey the will of the regime, and therefore, during the Second World War, 'no' arrived from Hajduk twice, which echoed sensationally. After the fascists occupied Dalmatia, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) wanted Hajduk to play in the Italian Championship, but the players and management refused to do so and went to the island of Vis, which was controlled by the Allies. Shortly afterward, the request of the Ustasa regime, Ante Pavelic, to play in the Croatian league at that time was rejected.”

After the rejection of the Italians, Joseph Broz Tito soon received the same answer.

"After the end of World War II, Hajduk was no longer a symbol of the city, but a symbol of the entire country, so Marshal Tito wanted to move them to Belgrade to make Hajduk a club of the Yugoslav army. An honorable suggestion, but - to leave Split? Become a symbol of someone else? Hajduk said 'no' a second time and continued to grow and build its myth."

Eurosport goes on to write about how Hajduk's biggest rivals are Dinamo Zagreb, Red Star and Partizan, the founding of Torcida, the rivalry of fans with the Bad Blue Boys, the numerous class players that originated from Hajduk's football school, and a crucial moment that happened ten years ago.

"The time had come for a big decision - to sell the club to foreign investors or to stay ours? Society, the city, and the fans had no dilemma: Hajduk is not for sale! This is how the third big 'no' from Hajduk arrived, the one aimed at foreign money. Fans were aware that because of this, they would not be able to compete for an important place in Europe, that it would be difficult even in the Championship against Dinamo. Still, pride is preserved," Eurosport concluded.

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

April. 18, 2020 - HNK Hajduk has agreed with all first-team players to reduce wages as the competition is stalled because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Split club reports that first-team players have accepted Hajduk's proposal to receive 40 percent of the contracted earnings over the next six months, the additional 40 percent will be deferred for six months and the remaining 20 percent will be permanently waived. Furthermore, the Club offered its players the chance to automatically reinstate the contracts from the time before the pandemic, in full, in the event they place in a European competition.

"HNK Hajduk thanks the players for their understanding and cooperation in reaching an agreement on reducing salaries in times of crisis in order to ensure the financial stability and sustainability of the Club in the long run. In such an atmosphere of mutual respect and unity within the Club, we are sure that the desired sports result will not be missed. We completed the contract process in record time. The management and part of the higher-income working community will also share the fate of the players," said Hajduk president Marin Brbić.

"We believe that we have negotiated with the players as responsibly and correctly as possible. We did not rush to make a decision and neither did it unilaterally, but through an agreement with the players, we wanted to achieve synergy. We decided not to communicate the draft agreement publicly, allowing players to peacefully consider all the circumstances affecting the Club and football in Croatia and to make their decision accordingly. We thank them once again for the demonstrated team spirit and solidarity they have shown in this situation where, in addition to donated funds in our humanitarian actions, they have once again shown great responsibility to our Club and the entire community," added the sports director Ivan Kepčija.

Led by captain Mijo Caktaš, Hajduk players showed exceptional understanding and solidarity in the agreement.

"This is a situation that happens once in history and in which we all have to bear our burden to keep the Club stable. I am especially pleased that the team showed their understanding of the new circumstances after the first meeting, and there was really no doubt that we players should stand in solidarity with the Club at the moment when football activities around the world stopped. The conversations were very fair, we all showed a great community together, and I would like to thank all the teammates for that once again. I believe that we as a team and Hajduk as a Club will come out stronger from all this," said Caktaš after the agreement with the players was officially signed.

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

April 17, 2020 - A new victory has been achieved thanks to the unity and giving hearts of Hajduk fans around the world. 

A humanitarian action to help KBC in Split combat the coronavirus pandemic called "Breathe as One", organized by HNK Hajduk and HKNH "Bilo srce", raised HRK 870,003.59, with a total of 487 individuals, associations and companies participating.

"Aid, solidarity, love and unity are the only ways to fight in these challenging times that have down to us to fight the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic. And we are proud to succeed," said Hajduk on its official website.

The action began with donations from Hajduk players and employees and was joined by numerous members of the Hajduk family - members of the Supervisory Board, former players and employees of the Club, supporters, sponsors, public figures and media professionals. Everyone paid as they could, so donations ranged from 10 kuna to 200,000 kuna, and Hajduk equally thanked everyone for their solidarity and great Hajduk heart.

A number of former club players of all generations responded to Hajduk's call: Danijel Subasic, Mario Pasalic, Nikola Vlasic, Andrija Balic, Ante Palaversa, Anton Maglica, Domagoj Bradaric, Darijo Srna, Slaven Bilic, Ivica Surjak, Karlo Letica, Goran Milovic, Goran Vucevic, Mario Maloča, Nikola Jerkan, Zlatko Vujovic, Luksa Poklepovic and many others.

Numerous Hajduk supporters aided in the success of the action, and donations came from all over the world, from South America to Portugal and Germany, from individuals to the Friends of Hajduk and Torcida affiliates.

Former leaders of Hajduk also responded to the action - President Jasmin Huljaj, Vice President Luksa Jakobusic, Coach Damir Buric, Sports Director Sasa Bjelanovic, numerous public figures such as Mladen Grdovic, Gibonni, Jole, Tonci Huljic, Alen Nizetic and sponsors of the Spectrum travel and Apfar.

The total donation will be used to purchase medical devices and equipment that will be assembled by KBC Split according to their needs in the Intensive Care Unit of the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology of the Split hospital, which serves the most severe coronavirus infected patients.

HNK Hajduk Split once again gives thanks to all the donors who have contributed to the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

April 14, 2020 - Football is back! Well, almost. Hajduk Split returns to a much quieter Poljud to train under strict conditions.

Namely, Hajduk began training on Monday on the main and auxiliary grounds of Poljud. Training sessions are organized throughout the day.

Hajduk footballers have been given permission to train individually, i.e., without physical contact with other players and other people in general, as recommended by the Headquarters. The training is done by appointment, with two players training at the same time, one on the main pitch and one on Poljud's auxiliary grounds. Afterward, the players must go home because they are not allowed to shower at the stadium after training.

"The players will come to Poljud at different times and each player is alone on the field during training, which is in accordance with the instructions of the Civil Protection Headquarters," the club revealed.

The training is mainly about developing endurance and strength.

"This is how the Hajduk will train all week, and further activities will be organized in accordance with the latest instructions of the Civil Protection Headquarters," added Hajduk.

Recall, the Executive Board of the Croatian Football Federation has adopted changes to the competition calendar in the 1st and 2nd Croatian League and Croatian Cup, taking into account the current COVID-19 pandemic. 

According to the recommendation of UEFA, the Croatian Football Federation (HNS) management has considered all the options in the calendar to allow a successful end to the competition year. Considering that the further course of the coronavirus pandemic is unpredictable, the HNS Executive Board has adopted three calendar options for the Croatian First League, Second League, and Croatian Cup competitions.

HNS has been in communication with the Central State Office for Sport on this subject, which is aware of and agrees with the decisions cited here.

Depending on the epidemiological situation in Croatia and the decisions of the competent authorities, the Executive Board will, by a specific decision, determine which version of the competition calendar change will apply.

In addition, the Olympic Committee has set deadlines by which it will announce a possibly selected version of the decision:

Option 1
1st HNL Competition Starts: May 16, 2020
2nd HNL Competition Starts: May 23, 2020
Completion of the 1st HNL and 2nd HNL Competition: July 18, 2020
Deadline: April 20, 2020

Option 2
1st HNL and 2nd HNL Competition Starts: May 30, 2020
Completion of the 1st HNL and 2nd HNL Competition: July 25, 2020
Deadline: May 4, 2020

Option 3
1st HNL and 2nd HNL Competition Starts: June 13, 2020
Completion of the 1st HNL Competition: August 2, 2020
Completion of 2nd HNL Competition: 1st August 2020
Deadline: May 18, 2020

Before the Croatian First League was interrupted because of the coronavirus pandemic, Hajduk was in fourth place with 45 points, behind Lokomotiva (46), Rijeka (47) and Dinamo (65).

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.