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Krešimir Antolić on Maksimir Riots: 'This Was a Serious Criminal Offense'

Krešimir Antolić on Maksimir Riots: 'This Was a Serious Criminal Offense'

From Večernji List · (12h ago) Croatian Critical tone

Translated from Croatian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Former Dinamo board member Krešimir Antolić condemned the arson at the Maksimir stadium during the Dinamo-Hajduk derby as a serious criminal offense.
  • Antolić called for responsibility from the perpetrators, those who provided logistical support, and the organizers, emphasizing insufficient security measures.
  • He urged the police to investigate the perpetrators, analyze the organizer's actions for potential breaches, and examine their own procedures to prevent future incidents.

The recent events at the Maksimir stadium during the Dinamo-Hajduk derby have crossed a line, moving beyond mere fan banter into the realm of serious criminal activity. The arson, which endangered thousands of spectators, is an act that cannot be tolerated. As Krešimir Antolić, a former Dinamo official with extensive experience in stadium security, pointed out, responsibility must be assigned not only to the direct perpetrators but also to those who facilitated the act and the organizers whose security measures proved inadequate.

Jučerašnjim podmetanjem požara u podnožju sjeverne tribine definitivno je prijeđena granica međusobnog navijačkog podbadanja.

— Krešimir AntolićDescribing the arson at Maksimir stadium during the Dinamo-Hajduk derby.

Antolić's statement highlights a critical failure in stadium security, suggesting that the dilapidated state of Maksimir stadium may have contributed to the vulnerability. His call for a thorough investigation by the police, encompassing the identification of culprits, an assessment of the organizer's conduct, and a review of police procedures, is a necessary step towards ensuring accountability and preventing future tragedies. The incident serves as a stark reminder that the safety of fans must be paramount.

Podmetnut požar na tribini na kojoj se u tom trenutku nalazi blizu 10 000 ljudi je kazneno djelo. I to ozbiljno.

— Krešimir AntolićEmphasizing the severity of the arson incident.

From our perspective at Večernji List, this incident is not just about a football match; it's about the broader issue of safety and responsibility within our sports venues. While international media might focus on the rivalry, we are concerned with the systemic failures that allowed such a dangerous act to occur. The question remains: do we have the right people with the necessary experience and dedication to manage stadium security effectively, or are we merely burying our heads in the sand?

Postavlja se pitanje odgovornosti. Ona je naravno na onome tko je to počinio. Neposredno, stišćući gumb na daljinskom upravljaču odgovornost je i na onome tko je logistički podupro ovo djelo.

— Krešimir AntolićDiscussing accountability for the arson.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Večernji List in Croatian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.