HNK Hajduk Split received a reprieve from UEFA after the governing body handed down a punishment for the abandonment of the first-leg Europa League qualifier against Žilina on 16 July in Slovakia. The Split-based side were fined €24,000, but crucially avoided the threatened away-ban for their fans. That means Hajduk will have the backing of their supporters in the return leg against Pafos in Cyprus on 30 July. As of now, Hajduk sit second in the HNL with 68 points from 36 games, 20 wins, eight draws and eight losses, recent form WDLWD.

What happened in Žilina?

Almost 1,500 Hajduk fans travelled to Slovakia and the entire day and match passed without serious incident. Cooperation with local police was smooth, and the city remained trouble-free. Trouble flared in the second half when a small group of supporters threw plastic cups and chairs toward the pitch-side netting. The referee stopped play immediately, even though the interruption lasted only seconds. The match delegate filed a report with UEFA, which led to the fine.

Why this matters for HNK Hajduk Split

Two years ago Hajduk were punished for fan behaviour on trips to HB Tórshavn and Ružomberok. UEFA imposed a conditional one-game away-ban on ticket sales with a two-year probation period. That probation expired in August 2025, so this incident could have triggered the old sanction. Instead, Europe’s governing body opted for the lighter punishment, a decision that matters for Hajduk’s future European away trips.

What’s next for Hajduk?

Hajduk beat Žilina 2-0 at Poljud on the first leg, securing their place in the next round. They now face Pafos on 30 July, where they will have fan support. This season Hajduk have scored 61 goals and conceded 36, a +25 goal difference, and trail Dinamo Zagreb by 18 points in the league. Their next home fixture is on 13 February 2027 against ninth-placed Osijek.