Ivan Perišić (foto: Instagram)
Hajduk Split has defended Ivan Perišić amid criticism from Gennaro Gattuso, stating that internal issues will be resolved privately while supporting their player's reputation.
Ivan Perišić joined Hajduk Split last winter, recovering from a serious knee injury, which limited his ability to contribute significantly to the Croatian league's final stages. He managed to play just eight matches, scoring one goal.
The conflict between Gennaro Gattuso and Ivan Perišić continues to escalate. After the unexpected 1-1 draw against Lokomotiva in Zagreb, Hajduk's head coach announced that he left Perišić out of the squad because the player had asked to leave the club. This statement sparked controversy in Dalmatia.
Hajduk decided to defend Ivan Perišić, releasing a statement that said: "In recent days, we have witnessed an unjust campaign against our player and celebrated national team member, Ivan Perišić, a true legend of Croatian football. Ivan does not deserve such treatment or any of the insults, which we unconditionally condemn. We want to make it clear that all issues and misunderstandings within the club will continue to be resolved internally. It is up to us as a club, and above all, the Hajduk community, to protect the club's interests and the values we uphold."
Meanwhile, rumors have surfaced that Perišić requested to leave due to an offer from Barcelona, but there is no official confirmation of any offer at this time.