LEN Statement on Brutal Attack of Red Star Water Polo Players in Croatia

LEN President Paolo Barelli. Photo Courtesy: Foto Giorgio Scala / Deepbluemedia /Insidefoto

Earlier today, the Ligue Européenne de Natation (LEN)—which oversees Champions League water polo in Europe—issued a statement on the attack last Saturday in Split, Croatia, where Crvena Zvezda (Red Star) players Dusan Vasic, Milos Maksimovic and Alesandro Kralj were attacked by multiple assailants in what local police have termed “hate-motivated crimes.”

Following is the statement from LEN and it’s president, Paolo Barelli:

LEN has learned with disappointment and hereby condemns the incident happened in the city of Split (CRO) where four Serbian water polo players were attacked by local ultras while staying in the downtown.

Even though this repulsive assault happened at a non-LEN-sanctioned event (before a Regional League game), the European Swimming Federation feels necessary to underline how important is to prevent any similar incident in the future, especially in the city of Split, future host of the 2022 LEN European Water Polo Championships.

“European Aquatics have always shared the values of mutual understanding and acceptance of the respective nations” LEN President Paolo Barelli said. “Sport is uniting and not dividing, athletes and teams can be rivals but never enemies. LEN is committed to apply these principles and expect to be appreciated by everyone, every time, everywhere.”

LEN is waiting for the outcome of any investigation of the sad case and strongly hopes that this distasteful act of a small minority will not influence the existing peaceful sport relations of Serbia and Croatia, two great water polo nations – and we shall witness more great events in a peaceful and fair atmosphere in the coming months and years.

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