The drama surrounding Stadion Poljud has reached a fever pitch. HNK Hajduk has dropped a bombshell statement, revealing that the path to clarity on the stadium's structural integrity is blocked—not by engineering failures, but by public intimidation. The club announced that Otpornost d.o.o. had completed a project to test the safety of the iconic Split venue. The analysis was led by Professor Emeritus Anto Mihanović, the sole surviving original designer of the stadium. The plan was for independent experts to review and validate these findings.

The Silence of the Experts

But here is the twist. According to Hajduk, the contacted reviewers—from Osijek and Zagreb all the way to Slovenia—refused to participate. Some withdrew entirely during the process. The club claims that intense public pressure forced these professionals to step back, leaving the crucial independent validation undone. Hajduk emphasized that while many voices claim expertise in the public debate, only a few individuals possess the actual credentials to weigh in on such a complex structural matter.

This standoff leaves the footballing community in Split waiting. The results of the analysis will be presented to the relevant ministries in the coming days, followed by a public release. The goal is to make swift decisions that will define the infrastructural future of both the club and the city. For months, the debate has raged between preservationists who want to restore the historic Poljud and those demanding a modern replacement.

A New Chapter?

Hajduk has long signaled its preference for a new stadium, either on the current site or elsewhere. Now, with the expert review process stalled by external pressure, the club faces a critical juncture. The infrastructure decision will not just change where fans watch matches; it will reshape the identity of Croatian football. All eyes are now on the ministries to see how they handle the incoming data amidst the noise.