Just when you think sports are a unifying force, Marko Perković Thompson and Croatian athletes come along to shatter that illusion! The controversial singer, infamous for his Ustaše salutes and war-mongering songs, continues to drag Croatian footballers and handball players into his nationalist whirlpool. At his latest concert at Zagreb Hippodrome, attended by around half a million people, the national team coach Zlatko Dalić and player Mateo Kovačić were spotted. Yes, you read that right — people who should be role models of sportsmanship are singing and celebrating songs that glorify a dark past and war crimes.
This isn’t the first time such scenes have unfolded. Seven years ago, Thompson sang at Zlatko Dalić’s homecoming in Varaždin, and later in Livno, gathering tens of thousands. Despite his concerts being banned in Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Slovenia for promoting neo-Nazism and Ustaše ideology, he freely spreads his poison in Croatia. His shows often feature chants like “kill the Serb,” and his songs glorify the NDH and Operation Storm, linked to killings and expulsions of Serbs.
Is it possible that athletes who should be role models don’t see the problem? Or is this part of a bigger societal issue? Croatian handball players celebrated their World Championship silver medal half a year ago with war songs, and Thompson has become a symbol of the extreme right, which he openly embraces. His songs are war-mongering, full of hate and historical lies, yet he continues to receive support from sports stars and large crowds.
Imagine this — concerts banned in several European countries, yet at home, he’s hailed as a hero! Is that normal? Or is it a sign that hatred and intolerance continue to fester and spread, even through sports? If you want a laugh, just look at how footballers proudly posed with Thompson on social media while chants that should be banned echo in the background.
This isn’t just a Croatian problem; it’s a regional one where historical wounds aren’t healing but reopening and being exploited for political and nationalist agendas. Thompson has become a symbol of hate, and athletes supporting him send a message that it’s acceptable. Maybe it’s time to ask what sport really means and who our heroes are?
If you thought sport was just a game, think again. This is a much more dangerous game — a game of identity, hate, and politics. And Thompson and his friends in the sports world are the main players. What do you think? Is this just fun or playing with fire? Drop a comment, maybe together we can shed light on this dark side of sports!
