Davor Suker: Croatia Will Only Play In Zagreb

Croatian Football Federation (HNS) President Davor Suker will not have won any friends in the Dalmatian city of Split on Monday after announcing that all future international matches will only be played in the capital Zagreb.

“Croatia representative matches financially only pay off organised at Maksimir stadium (Zagreb). We made a lot of money in the VIP section at the Serbia match. I don’t know when we will be in Split again or Osijek,” said Suker, before adding.

“I am not afraid to say it. It is true that Poljud (Split) was promised by the HNS five matches, but if it continues like this then those will be in the next 20 years. Who will pay to upgrade the stadium?” asked Suker.

Suker said that when HNS gave Split the 100-year anniversary friendly against Switzerland last summer, the Split public boycotted. “The accountant called me after that match and said we are 4-5 million down after that match,” said Suker. “Someone explain to me why organising matches in Split is so much more expensive than Zagreb? For example, the ambulances around the ground cost 3 times more, people think that HNS must have money so they can pay,” concluded the former World Cup golden boot.

Suker also announced that the island of Korcula had been selected for the first time as a base for the U20 side to prepare at ahead of their World Cup in Turkey.