Referee altercation costs Stimac

HNK Hajduk Split sporting director Igor Stimac has been banned for six months by the Croatian Football Federation (HNS) for accosting the referee during the match against HNK Rijeka on 10 April.

Complaint lodged
Referee Miroslav Jedvaj lodged a complaint to the HNS in the wake of a half-time altercation with Stimac, who was seen remonstrating and swearing at the official by police officers. Jedvaj claimed he was punched by Stimac, but later rescinded the allegation.

Unanimous vote
However, members of the disciplinary body voted unanimously in favour of a six-month ban, the maximum allowed, for Stimac. Capped 54 times by Croatia, Stimac invested in Hajduk following his retirement and later became the sporting director. Hajduk won the game 1-0.