Crvena Zvezda report hooligan attacks on team delegation and journalists in Zadar / News - Basketnews.com

Crvena Zvezda faced security concerns in Zadar as the team delegation endured violent attacks, prompting a request to play their ABA League game behind closed doors.

Credit: ABA League j.t.d./Dragana Stjepanovic Credit ABA League j.t.d./Dragana Stjepanovic

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade arrived in Zadar on Saturday from Barcelona for their upcoming ABA League game against the local Croatian team on Sunday.

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade / Schedule

FC Barcelona Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade86-81 Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade Fenerbahce Beko IstanbulTue19:45 Olympiacos Piraeus Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet BelgradeThu19:15

However, instead of the usual preparations, the team faced unsettling incidents, leading them to request the game be played without spectators.

Two separate attacks occurred on members of the Belgrade club's delegation and two Mozzart Sport journalists, as reported by Crvena Zvezda on their website.

"In two separate incidents in Zadar on Saturday evening, a member of our club's Board of Directors and a friend were inexplicably attacked, along with two members of the press team accompanying the Red Star delegation, who had just arrived from Barcelona. They were beaten up by numerous masked hooligans, resulting in injuries," the statement reads.

Crvena Zvezda emphasized that the victims did not provoke the attacks, and the same person connected both incidents.

"As a club, we demand an immediate response from the relevant authorities, particularly the Croatian police and security services. We call for the apprehension of the attackers. ... We have information that both attacks were connected to the same person, a taxi driver transporting the press team and a member of our Board of Directors from the airport."

In response to these incidents, Crvena Zvezda have urged the ABA League to play Sunday's game behind closed doors.

"The circumstances have been unsettling since Saturday, with what seems like a targeted pursuit of our club's delegation. This suggests that the conditions for a regular game may not be guaranteed," the statement concludes.

Both the Zadar club and the ABA League have strongly condemned the violence.

Thank you for being with us! Subscribe to BN+ and browse ad-free.