Chaos and violence erupt after Croatian futsal final in Rijeka

Scenes of chaos marred the fifth and decisive championship final of Croatian futsal in Rijeka, as the match between Rijeka and Olmissum devolved into unsportsmanlike conduct. After Olmissum secured the title through a penalty shootout, the court became a scene of confrontation between players, and segments of the home crowd directed offensive chants at the visiting team.

The tense series, which had been fraught with high emotions from the start, concluded with incidents that overshadowed the sporting competition. Appeals from the HMNK Rijeka management for fair play and respectful support from fans went unheeded, leaving a dark stain on Rijeka's futsal scene.

Earlier in the finals, during the second game on May 24, a player from Olmissum, Toni Kirevski, was struck in the head by a glass thrown from the stands after scoring an equalizer. This shocking incident temporarily halted the match, requiring medical attention for the player and highlighting significant organizational flaws and a hostile atmosphere at the venue.

As a consequence of multiple serious breaches during the first two games, HMNK Rijeka was fined a total of 5,200 euros. The official report detailed instances of a referee being doused with beer and various objects, including coins, plastic bottles, glasses, and lighters, being thrown onto the field, causing game interruptions.

Compounding the issues, the proceeds from ticket sales, originally intended for charitable purposes, were redirected to pay the imposed fine. This situation underscores the severe lack of sportsmanship and security that plagued the championship final.