A World Cup qualifying match between Montenegro and Croatia, classified as high-risk, ended without incidents on Saturday despite heavy security and nationalist chants from both sets of supporters.
Police deployed large numbers of officers across central Podgorica, backed by video surveillance on the ground and from the air. Several hundred Croatian fans attended under the protection of special police units. Authorities had earlier warned they would act “decisively, preventively and without tolerance” toward any breach of public order.
Croatia, which had already secured qualification for the 2026 World Cup, beat Montenegro 3–2 in a match with no competitive implications for the hosts.
During the game, Croatian fans chanted “Kill the Serb” and “For Homeland Ready,” while some Montenegrin supporters responded with “Ustaše, Chetniks — you fled together,” according to local reports. The stadium announcer repeatedly appealed for calm and fair fan behaviour, and police escorted Croatian supporters to buses after the match.
Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajić condemned the chants posted on platform X, writing that he “strongly condemns the chanting of a group of Croatian fans, which cast a shadow over last night’s football spectacle under Gorica,” and added that such incidents “remind us that wrong ideologies in the region never rest” and that public space must be “actively and decisively protected from inappropriate messages of intolerance sent by irresponsible individuals.” He also said he was proud of Montenegrin fans for applauding the Croatian anthem and national team.
The strong security presence followed an attack on Croatian nationals travelling toward Podgorica late Sunday. Police said unidentified individuals blocked their vehicles near Cetinje and damaged them with clubs. The victims were not part of an organized fan group and were driving vehicles with Croatian licence plates. Police later found clubs but not the assailants while blocking parts of nearby roads and carrying out checks.
One of the Croatian nationals told Radio Cetinje they did not blame Montenegrins as a people, saying the attackers wore hoodies and that similar incidents also occur in Croatia.
Cetinje Mayor Nikola Đurašković condemned the attack, urged authorities to identify and punish those responsible, and described it as a deliberate act to target visitors. He offered assistance with vehicle repairs, though the fans continued their trip to Podgorica under police escort.
Opposition MP Nikola Zirojević of the Social Democrats said he had received prior operational information about a possible attack and claimed security institutions had the same intelligence. He questioned why police had not provided additional protection given the warnings.
Police said they had formed a command team and deployed an “optimal number” of officers around the stadium, as well as monitored arrivals at border crossings. On Nov. 5, Police Director Lazar Šćepanović briefed Croatian Ambassador Veselko Grubišić on security measures. Authorities reported monitoring individuals of security interest, and media said one Montenegro citizen was detained after allegedly testing positive for cocaine, while a Serbian national was detained and expelled from the country.
The match took place against already strained bilateral relations. Ties deteriorated after Montenegro’s parliament adopted a resolution on the World War II-era Jasenovac concentration camp in mid-2024, which Croatia called a provocation. Croatia later declared three pro-Serb Montenegrin officials persona non grata and blocked Montenegro’s progress in EU accession talks under Chapter 31 on external, security and defence policy. Disputes also remain over the naval vessel Jadran, wartime compensation claims, and the border area near Prevlaka.