In the recent Croatian cup match between Rijeka and Hajduk, discussions surrounding the officiating have taken center stage, especially following a poor performance by referee Kolarić. Former chief referee Bruno Marić has come forward in Kolarić's defense, stating that rather than placing blame solely on the referee, the VAR system should share the responsibility for the contentious calls made during the match. Marić emphasized that Kolarić is a talented referee deserving of support rather than criticism after a challenging match.

Marić acknowledged that Kolarić had a bad day as a referee, but insisted the errors in officiating were exacerbated by a lack of adequate support from the VAR room. In his remarks, he underscored the expectation that the VAR system should assist referees effectively, correcting mistakes rather than allowing them to compound. He highlighted the importance of not attributing Kolarić's poor officiating solely to individual failings but recognizing the systemic issues present in the match's officiating.

Furthermore, Marić pointed out that many in the football community, including experts and journalists, have recognized Kolarić as a promising referee, citing previous instances of his strong officiating. He urged the football community not to let one bad day cloud their judgment of Kolarić's capabilities and to remember that the criticism should also extend to the VAR's performance during the match. In this context, the internal dynamics of Croatian football officiating and the reliance on technology like VAR are brought into question, highlighting the broader implications for the sport in Croatia.