Former Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren is accused of singing a Nazi-collaborators’ fascist anthem, equated to ‘Sieg heil’, but REFUSES to apologise for behaviour at post-World Cup party
- Croatia were eliminated from the World Cup in the semi-finals and finished third
- Dejan Lovren and Marcelo Brozovic were both filmed partying afterwards
- Video shows the pair allegedly singing fascist anthem ‘Za Dom Spremni’
- It’s said to have been used as a salute during World War II by fascist Ustaše
- Croatia were welcomed back by tens of thousands of fans in Zagreb
Former Liverpool defender and Croatia star Dejan Lovren has been accused of singing a Nazi-collaborators’ fascist anthem, equated to ‘Sieg heil’.
Lovren and Marcelo Brozovic – who was seen making what appeared to be a gun gesture – were filmed partying back in their homeland after Croatia’s elimination from the World Cup in Qatar, where they finished in third place.
According to Corriere della Sera in Italy, the music in the video is well-known Nazi-fascist song ‘Za Dom Spremni’, or ‘Ready for the Homeland’ and was sung by the fascist Ustaše movement during the Second World War.
Dejan Lovren (left) and Marcelo Brozovic (right) were filmed allegedly singing a fascist song
Smajo Bešo, a lecturer and researcher at Newcastle University, also tweeted: ‘This is former @LFC defender Dejan Lovren & @intermilan player Marcelo Brozovic singing “Za Dom Spremni” (For homeland – ready).
‘It’s a salute used during World War II by the Croatian fascist Ustaše movement. It was the Ustaše equivalent of the Nazi salute “Sieg heil”.
Lovren responded to criticism, reported in 24sata as saying: ‘A handful of wretched, miserable and jealous people, they hate everything that is Croatian. Actually, they hate themselves first.
‘They were disgusted last night when I sang “Are you beautiful” in front of the whole of Croatia. I don’t understand how they work in Croatia?’
The video circulating on the internet shows Brozovic and Lovren in team clothing with a giant Croatia flag in the background.
The pair are reported to have been partying in a Zagreb nightclub upon returning from Qatar
The song is popularised by Thompson, real name Marko Perkovic (nicknamed after the Thompson machine gun), known in Croatia and throughout the east for his far-right positions and participation in Victory Day celebrations.
Lovren, formerly of Liverpool, who now plays for Zenit St Petersburg in Russia, lifts his hand in the air at the same time as Brozovic in the clip but does not appear to make a gun sign.
The incident allegedly took place in a Zagreb nightclub owned by Brozovic.
Croatian publication Jutarnji.hr reported: ‘Lovren and Brozović shouted Ustasa slogans and sang songs by Marko Perkovic Thompson at a private party.’
Brozovic (left) and Lovren (right) helped Croatia to a third place finish at the World Cup
Croatia fans turned out in their thousands to welcome the team home from the tournament
Earlier in the tournament in Qatar, the Croatia squad were filmed at a team dinner singing Perkovic’s songs in unison.
Back in 2020, the courts in Croatia ruled that Perkovic was allowed to chant ‘Za Dom Spremni’ at his concerts and it was not a violation of public order.
The national team were given a warm welcome back on Sunday as thousands of fans greeted them in Ban Jelacic Square in central Zagreb.
The players are resting from their World Cup endeavours before meeting back up with their clubs.
Croatia enjoyed another strong World Cup performance, backing up their 2018 showing
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