Hajduk has publicly criticized Hrvatski Telekom and Tportal for their treatment of the club and its supporters, asserting the need for greater accountability and respect.
Hajduk, a major Croatian football club, issued a strong statement on social media criticizing Hrvatski Telekom and Tportal. In the statement, Hajduk condemned the treatment it has received from Hrvatski Telekom, describing it as anything but a partnership. They highlighted the unacceptable nature of racism, discrimination, and inappropriate personal opinions in the sports media landscape, asserting that Tportal has not only tolerated such content for months but has actively encouraged it by creating sensationalized clickbait articles.
In response to the controversy, Hrvatski Telekom has issued an apology regarding comments made by Jeličić that had sparked the club's outrage. Hajduk emphasized the need for the telecommunications company and its media channels to exhibit significantly more responsibility and respect towards the club, which boasts over 120,000 members and hundreds of thousands of supporters worldwide. The club noted the vital role its fans play in boosting the viewership of the league while calling for an end to harmful narratives that undermine its reputation.
The communication from Hajduk represents a significant response to what they perceive as ongoing disrespect and misrepresentation in the media. The club's commitment to taking concrete steps to address these issues underscores the tensions between sporting entities and media organizations in Croatia, particularly concerning the treatment of fans and the portrayal of clubs in media narratives. Hajduk's stance may have wider implications for relationships between clubs and media outlets in the regional sports landscape.
