Rijeka issued with stadium ban

The Croatian Football Federation (HNS) has banned HNK Rijeka from playing in their Kantrida stadium while they investigate the riots that led to Wednesday's game with HNK Hajduk Spilt being held up for over 20 minutes.

Four injured
Four fans were injured and 15 arrested when trouble flared in the 87th minute of their Prva HNL match after Goran Brajkovic became the second Rijeka player to be sent off by referee Drazen Kovacic. Andre Mijatovic, who scored his side's goal in a 2-1 defeat, had met a similar fate earlier in the match.

'Necessary measures'
The official ordered both teams to leave the field as a number of home fans attempted to break down a perimeter fence so they could storm the pitch - a decision Rijeka deemed unnecessary in a statement issued the following day. "We took all the necessary measures to prevent the spectators from breaking on to the field," it said.

Varteks on top
Srdjan Andric scored both goals for Hajduk, who remain a point behind leaders NK Varteks after 17 games. Rijeka, who are likely to receive a hefty fine following the inappropriate behaviour of their fans, are fifth in the table, eight points behind Hajduk.