The fight at the stadium (Photo: Screenshot) (foto: Uradni Twitter profil kluba/zveze)
A violent altercation erupted in the stands of the Vazgen Sargsyan Stadium during the Armenia-Croatia football match, adding another layer of controversy to an already tense event.
The clash involved an estimated twenty Croatian fans and an unspecified number of local Armenian supporters, according to sources in Yerevan.
The Croatian Football Federation (HNS), already under penalty from UEFA for previous incidents, may face further scrutiny following the brawl. Despite the Federation's ban on ticket sales to Croatian fans for this match, approximately 200 supporters managed to travel to Yerevan. While some engaged in peaceful conversations with local media, a subset was involved in the altercation, which led to ejections from the stadium and unofficial reports of arrests.
Footage of the incident shows a chaotic scene, with dozens of individuals involved in the melee. The fans engaged in the brawl were notably without jerseys or visible fan paraphernalia, making identification challenging. Armtimes.com, a local news outlet, confirmed the clash between Croatian and Armenian fans but withheld further details.
The incident comes at a time when the HNS is already under the microscope, and this latest episode could potentially result in additional penalties from UEFA. With the footage now circulating widely, both local authorities and international governing bodies are expected to conduct thorough investigations into the matter.