UEFA allows children under 14 at Hajduk Split match despite stadium ban

UEFA has granted permission for children under the age of 14 to be present at HNK Hajduk Split’s upcoming home fixture against Sint-Truidense VV, modifying the enforcement of a stadium ban sanction. Although the disciplinary measure originally required Poljud Stadium to be completely empty, the European governing body opened entry specifically to this age group for the Conference League fourth-round match scheduled for November 26 at 21:00 local time.

Access for eligible children will be free of charge, and attendees are permitted to watch the match accompanied by coaches rather than parents or guardians. Strict supervision ratios apply to ensure safety and compliance with the special dispensation; regulations mandate that one adult supervisor must be present for every 15 children admitted to the venue. HNK Hajduk Split has already distributed invitations to various football clubs, asking them to organize transport for their youngest members to travel to Split for the occasion.

Despite these logistical preparations, the exact number of child spectators expected to attend remains unconfirmed at this stage. The partial lifting of the spectator ban operates within the framework of sanctions imposed after significant disorder occurred during the club's Conference League first-round match against Ajax.

UEFA issued the punishment in response to actions by Torcida supporters, whose use of pyrotechnics forced officials to suspend the Ajax encounter for 12 minutes. Beyond the requirement to play behind closed doors, the disciplinary ruling also mandates that HNK Hajduk Split pay a financial penalty of 96,000 euros.