Kustić elected in Croatia

The 46-year-old, who was elected unanimously by the country’s regional associations, takes over at the helm of Croatian football from Davor Šuker, who presided over a successful period in which Croatia’s national team finished runners-up to France at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

“I am confident that there will continuity of progress,” said Kustić. “We will continue to work as a team.”

'Great honour'

“This is a big and emotional [moment] for me, it is a great honour,” Kustić told delegates at the assembly. “I will do my best to justify your expectations.”

Rijeka-born Kustić was most recently HNS executive director from March 2019. He joined the association in 2014 when he was elected to the executive board, before becoming HNS vice-president. He was also a member of the Croatian Parliament from 2017 to 2019.

Kustić graduated from the Catering and Tourism School in Zagreb. He also completed undergraduate studies in finance and law, and holds the professional title of Bachelor of Economics.

He was a footballer for NK Novalja in the second and third divisions and, after his playing career, he remained a director of the club. Kustić is the president of the Lika-Senj County Football Association, as well as the Inter-County Football Committee of the Rijeka Football Centre.