Toni Dadić, a football referee from Zagreb, became the center of one of the biggest scandals in the Croatian Football League (HNL) in late 2024 and summer 2025. The situation escalated when Bad Blue Boys (Dinamo Zagreb’s supporters) published private messages on social media, allegedly sent by Dadić to members of Torcida (Hajduk Split’s supporters). The messages contained information about the movements and logistics of the Bad Blue Boys, such as banner locations and meeting points. There were even references to providing “services for the group,” including obtaining home addresses of prominent BBB members. In part of the correspondence, an attack on BBB members from Herzegovina was allegedly suggested, which made the situation even more serious.
Initial Reaction – Suspension and Removal from the List
After these compromising messages surfaced publicly, the Executive Committee of the Croatian Football Federation (HNS) promptly reacted in December 2024. Dadić was removed from all refereeing lists, which officially ended his career. The decision was justified as a serious breach of the Conduct Code for football officials and a severe threat to the integrity of competitions. Around the same time, referee controller Bruno Marić was also sanctioned (for a separate affair), receiving a financial penalty and a five-month ban from work.
Unexpected Turn – Attempted Comeback
A new wave of outrage ensued when there was an attempt to return Toni Dadić to the refereeing lists ahead of the 2025/26 season. The HNS Referees’ Committee tried to pardon him, proposing his return among the elite referees, which would allow him to officiate at all competition levels, including Dinamo matches. Suddenly, Dadić’s name once again appeared among 18 referees on the official list.
Strong Reactions from the Public and Clubs
GNK Dinamo officially and very sharply opposed this decision, stating that “such a decision calls the integrity of the entire system into question and creates unnecessary public tensions.” Their press releases highlighted the disgrace and risk to public trust in the competition, demanding an urgent review of the decision, as well as measures to guarantee the league’s fairness.
Final Resolution – Withdrawal of the Comeback Proposal
Due to strong pressures from Dinamo, as well as the wider public and supporter groups, the HNS Referees’ Committee withdrew the proposal to reinstate Dadić on the referees’ list. It was officially confirmed that Dadić will not officiate in the new season of the HNL, nor in any other league under the HNS. The committee explained that the earlier suspension was sufficient punishment, but stated that “taking into account the leadership’s stance and public reaction,” the proposal for Dadić’s return was revoked and he remains outside the refereeing organization.
Integrity and Trust in the Refereeing Organization
The Dadić affair exposed deep-rooted issues in Croatian refereeing – from shortcomings in the selection and monitoring of referees to questionable pardons and short-term solutions under public pressure. What is especially worrying is that a compromised referee was even considered for a quick return to the elite list, only a few months after serious breaches of professional and personal integrity were proven.
Influence of Supporter Groups and Public Pressure
The refereeing organization’s decisions, and subsequently retracting them due to media and social pressure, clearly show how exposed the system is to external influences. There will be no trust from supporters, clubs, and the wider public without real, long-term transparency and accountability.
Rules and Sanctions – Is There Consistency?
Cases like Dadić’s highlight the need for stricter and more consistent rules, better oversight, and timely, transparent sanctions for any attempt to compromise the integrity of competition. Favors, pardons, and returns after scandals further undermine the reputation of Croatian football and create the impression that not everyone is treated equally. Only revoking decisions under club and supporter pressure does not indicate a strong system, but rather its weakness.
The Dadić affair is living proof of a deep crisis of confidence and shows the urgent need for reform of Croatia’s refereeing organization. The return of compromised referees or any individuals who have seriously breached the code of conduct must be timely, fairly, and transparently sanctioned. Only in this way can the HNS and Croatian football regain the trust of athletes, clubs, supporters, and the general public – without which sports competitions lose their meaning.
