Handball club separates from Ivic to the controversial Thompson concert

Handball club separates from Ivic to the controversial Thompson concert

Zagreb, Kroatien - The handball club Vojvodina dissolved the contract with the Croatian goalkeeper Filip Ivic on July 8, 2025. The reason for the sudden separation is Ivic's participation in a concert by the controversial musician Marko Perkovic, better known as Thompson. In a statement, the club president Dusan Bajatovic expressed his concern about Ivic's decision and made it clear that the club had no place for players who attended the events that insult the memory of innocent victims. This concert recently took place in Zagreb, in which around 500,000 people were present and is considered the largest concert in the history of Croatia.

The concert by Marko Perkovic, which is known for his connections to the pro-Nazi Ustasha regime in World War II, attracted many critical voices due to the controversial content and the devastating history chapter. Serbian media described the event as problematic, especially after some fans showed Ustascha symbols during the concert and chanted pro-Nazi slogans. In a reaction to the incidents, Serbia President Aleksandar Vucic also criticized the concert and described it as clear support for neo-Nazi and Ustascha values.

politicization of sport

The case Ivic illustrates the growing politicization of sport in the former Yugoslavia. The decision of the handball club to dismiss Ivic reflects the sensitive political realities and the historical tensions between Croatia and Serbia. The event, in which IVIC participated, is interpreted by many as an example of the problematic combination of music, nationalism and memory policy in today's Croatia.

The idea broadcast is reminiscent of the acts of violence that were committed during the rule of the Ustasha regime. Historically, the Ustasha regime is responsible for the murder of tens of thousands of ethnic Serbs, Jews, Roma and anti-fascist Croats. The texts of many songs sung by Perkovic contain Ustasha greetings that are legally prohibited in Croatia.

security measures at the concert

The security measures for the concert were extensive; Thousands of police officers and a special control center monitor the event. Traffic closures and the establishment of a field hospital testify to the worrying situation around the event. Despite the extensive measures, it was not possible to prevent all problematic incidents.

These developments not only raise questions about the social responsibility of athletes, but also shed light on the political tensions in the region and the persistent trenches that result from the past. The reactions to IVIC's dismissal and the concert show how deeply rooted the historical narratives and their modern interpretations are in the everyday life of people.

In view of these events, it becomes clear that the debate about national identity and culture of memory in Croatia and Serbia is still charged and controversial. Historian like Dr. Korb, which has examined the Croatian Ustaša regime, emphasize the need to understand the complex history of the region in order to better classify the current conflicts. The civil war in Croatia and the associated atrocities remain in the memory as a reminder and influence the social and political climate to this day.

For more information about the controversy about the Ustasha regime and the associated historical revision, the reports of Kosmo , AP News and Gerda Henkel Foundation are consulted.

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OrtZagreb, Kroatien
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