USKOK has filed charges against Lazar Darjović, a member of the executive board of NK Dugo Selo, with the Zagreb County Court. The charges relate to the offence of bribery. Darjović, a Croatian national born in 1976, is a businessman from Brckovljan.
According to the indictment, Darjović, in his capacity as a member of the executive board, approached the referee of the match scheduled for the following day in Sesvetce on 22 May. USKOF alleges that he asked the referee to rule in favour of Dugo Selo, to the detriment of the opposing team. He also requested that the referee not issue yellow or red cards to specific players from Dugo Selo, to avoid them being suspended for the final round of the championship. In return, he offered an unspecified sum of money, which the referee refused.
The match in question was between Dugo Selo and Lučko, played on 23 May. Dugo Selo won 2-0, and a week later, in the final round, they defeated Trnje 1-0. The season ended with Dugo Selo in 14th place with 29 points, remaining in the SuperSport Second League. Dugo S had two matches remaining in the championship, and with victories, they could have avoided relegation from the league.
Darjović was arrested on 1 June in an operation by the PNUSK, and the investigation was launched on the same day. After questioning, no pre-trial detention was imposed on him. Following the completion of the investigation, USKOK filed the indictment with the Zagreb County Court.
The referee to whom Darjović allegedly offered a bribe is also a police officer. According to media reports, Darjović was reported by football referee Renato Lacić, who is a police officer employed by the Split police department responsible for preventing economic crime and corruption.
The Croatian Football Federation stated after the incident erupted that it condemns attempts to influence the integrity of competitions and that it will monitor the case and act in accordance with its disciplinary regulations.
