HNS Referee Commission rules Hajduk Split was denied a penalty

The Croatian Football Federation (HNS) Referee Commission, led by Bertrand Layec, has released an analysis of officiating decisions from the 5th round of the SuperSport Croatian Football League. The commission identified a significant error during the Hajduk Split vs. Lokomotiva match.

In the 68th minute, Hajduk attacker Abdoulie Bamba Sanyang was tripped in the penalty area by a Lokomotiva defender. Referee Antonija Vukančić allowed play to continue, and VAR did not intervene. Released communication from the VAR room shows Vukančić explaining the decision by stating, “He is catching on him,” suggesting the attacker initiated the contact. However, the Commission concluded that the defender failed to avoid contact, stating that “a defender must avoid any contact that could interfere with the attacker’s running.” The Commission noted that a VAR intervention and a penalty should have been awarded.

The analysis also reviewed the Varaždin vs. Rudeš match, where the Commission supported the referee's decision to award a penalty after a VAR review involving a defender holding and stepping on an attacker's ankle.