February 20 – Ugly scenes marred the Slovenian Prva Liga derby between Mura and Maribor which was abandoned at the start of the second half with the score 2-0 in favor of Maribor after visiting fans started throwing smoke bombs and fireworks on to the pitch.
The referee immediately stopped the game and ordered the players to the dressing rooms. Both teams then agreed to play on if the Maribor fans left the stadium but the supporters refused to leave, instead threatening to cause more trouble if they were forced out.
Minutes later, the referee abandoned the game.
Six members of Mura’s staff suffered injuries from the projectiles.
The Slovenian Football Federation (NZS) condemned the incident and called on the authorities to take appropriate measures.
“At the Football Association of Slovenia, we are outraged and shocked by the events in the match of the 21st round of the First Telemach League between Mura and Maribor. Until the 57th minute, we watched the fans’ celebration, but then the match was interrupted due to fan riots, and six members of the home team were injured when dangerous explosives were used by the visiting fans. At the NZS, we want and hope that those injured as a result of a thoughtless, shameful event will not suffer long-term consequences. We wish everyone a speedy recovery,” said a Slovenian FA statement.
“At the same time, we are sorry that the match turned into an event that casts a bad light on Slovenian club football and discourages sincere football fans and families from watching live matches. We condemn the incident in the strongest possible terms and believe that, in addition to disciplinary liability under the auspices of the NZS, the perpetrator will also face the harshest sanctions from the competent authorities. It will be necessary to draw a clear line between cheering and hooliganism, and it is time to tackle the problem together with all stakeholders. Today’s event is an additional signal that systemic and comprehensive regulation is needed in this area.”
At the same time, Slovenian Police issued a statement saying: “From the point of view of security, the public event was assessed by the police as an event of medium risk and was protected in accordance with the adopted plan. In the middle of the second half, there was a prohibited use of pyrotechnics by as yet unknown offenders – perpetrators among members of organized fan groups, as a result of which five players of NS Mura and a fitness coach were injured.”
The Police Administration of Murska Sobota said they had already tracked down two or three of the fans, who they had indentified through a review of surveillance cameras.
Contact the writer of this story, Aleksander Krassimirov, at moc.l1734933271labto1734933271ofdlr1734933271owedi1734933271sni@o1734933271fni1734933271