Croatia federation slams derby hooliganism

The federation slammed the use of "flares, xenophobic banners, chants full of hate, discrimination, racism and chauvinism" by fans of Hajduk Split and Rijeka during their match.

"A hooligan running onto the pitch in extra time is an extremely dangerous act which jeopardises security of both players nad officials," it said in a statement.

The federation stressed that "Croatian clubs, squad and federation are hostages of hooligans."

The federation urged media, officials and fans to "clearly condemn such behaviour and distance themselves from hooligans."

In the final minutes of Saturday's match, which ended in a 1-1 draw, a 22-year-old masked Hajduk Split fan jumped onto the pitch.

Armed with a metal bar he chased the referee, cheered by fans, before he was arrested.

During the match the fans also chanted calls to kill ethnic Serbs as well as inhabitants of the capital Zagreb, and racially abused Hamza Barry, a Hajduk Split player of Gambian origin.

More than 20 people were arrested during and after the clash in Split.

Rijeka are leading the First Division on 62 points with Hajduk Split in fourth.

In a December visit to Zagreb, UEFA chief Aleksander Ceferin warned Croatia it risked drastic sanctions for hooliganism which he labelled a key problem.

The country has had a series of FIFA and UEFA sanctions over unruly fans known for throwing flares at matches, chanting fascist slogans and displaying pro-Nazi symbols.

Croatia were docked a point by UEFA after their fans painted a swastika on the pitch in Split ahead of their June 2015 Euro 2016 qualifier with Italy.

Croatia's Euro 2016 match against the Czech Republic in France last June had to be suspended for a while over flare throwing.