Osijek Airport Director and Former Referee Beaten; Past Attacks on Referees Recalled

Tihomir Pejin, the director of Osijek Airport and a former top-flight football referee, was found beaten in Osijek on August 7, 2026. He was transported to the Osijek Clinical Hospital Center, with police investigating the circumstances surrounding the assault.

Pejin confirmed to 24sata that he was attacked by unknown assailants but stated he did not suffer severe injuries. "I don't know why I was attacked, nor who attacked me, and I hope the police will find the attackers," he said briefly. The motive for the attack remains unclear.

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I don't know why I was attacked, nor who attacked me, and I hope the police will find the attackers.

The article highlights this incident by referencing previous violent assaults on prominent Croatian football referees. One such attack occurred in broad daylight at a restaurant in Stobreč, where masked hooligans armed with metal bars and other weapons assaulted former first-league referee Bruno Marić. Marić, who was dining with his lawyer, reported that staff and guests intervened, preventing potentially fatal consequences. He was carrying a pistol but did not use it during the assault.

Another incident involved Ivan Bebek, described as Croatia's most recognized referee in European circles. After officiating a match, Bebek was physically attacked outside a club in Sinj following verbal provocations. He was reportedly struck from behind, knocked to the ground, and assaulted before the attackers fled. These past events underscore a pattern of aggression towards individuals associated with Croatian football officiating.

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Suddenly, about ten hooligans ran into the restaurant, armed with bars, with boxers on their fists, and attacked us! I received several heavy blows, and if it weren't for the waiters and restaurant guests, who knows what would have happened, maybe they would have killed me!