ANALYSIS OF GOVERNANCE IN CROATIAN FOOTBALL Framework of good governance in sport – problems and solutions
CONTENTS
1 INTRODUCTION ...... 1
1.1 Importance of sport ...... 1
1.2 Hajduk as a stakeholder in the process of change ...... 2
1.3 Contents of the document ...... 5
2 WHAT DO WE STRIVE FOR? ...... 8
2.1 Democracy and minimum standards ...... 8
2.2 Disciplinary proceedings ...... 10
2.3 International context ...... 12
2.4 Inclusivity and youth engagement ...... 16
3 ANALYSIS OF GOVERNANCE IN CROATIAN FOOTBALL ...... 20
3.1 State bodies (Central State Office for Sport, Ministries) ...... 22
3.2 Croatian Football Federation as the key factor ...... 25
3.2.1 A clearly defined strategy ...... 27
3.2.2 Code of Ethics ...... 36
3.2.3 Structure of the Federation ...... 38
3.2.4 Division of assignments in working bodies (systematization and organization) ...... 48
3.2.5 Finance ...... 57
3.3 Other important stakeholders ...... 60
3.3.1 Professional football clubs and professional league ...... 62
3.3.2 Amateur clubs (men’s football, futsal and women’s clubs) ...... 68
3.3.3 Referees’ Organization ...... 69
3.3.4 Professional staff in football (coaches, players, physiotherapists and the Union) ...... 70
3.3.5 Supporters ...... 70
3.3.6 Educational and scientific institutions (Faculty of Kinesiology and other faculties, schools and kindergartens) ...... 73
3.3.7 The Media ...... 74
3.3.8 Local and regional governments ...... 74
3.3.9 Persons with disabilities ...... 75
4 FROM PROBLEM TO SOLUTION /POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 76
4.1 Guidelines for writing a new Code of Ethics ...... 76
4.1.1 Introduction ...... 76
4.1.2 Integrity of sport and good governance in sport ...... 77
4.2 From problem to solution ...... 79
4.2.1 Dispersion of Assembly members ...... 79
4.2.2 Transparent decision making and accountability of executives’ roles ...... 80
4.2.3 Clear definition of functions carried out by Executive committee members ...... 81
4.2.4 Transparency of financial reports ...... 81
4.2.5 State funding, local communities and county associations ...... 82
4.2.6 Non-transparency and sluggishness of HNS’s arbitrary bodies ...... 83
4.2.7 Licensing procedure ...... 84
4.2.8 A closed system ...... 85
4.2.9 Non-existence of first league clubs association ...... 86
4.2.10 Existence of HNS’s Court of Arbitration and Arbitration ...... 86
4.2.11 Referees’ Association ...... 87
4.2.12 Inappropriate sport infrastructure ...... 88
5 DOCUMENTS USED IN THE ANALYSIS...... 90
5.1 Acts, strategic documents, books and articles...... 90
5.2 Internet sources ...... 91
6 LIST OF TABLES ...... 94
7 LIST OF FIGURES ...... 94
1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Importance of sport
One of the main criteria for the assessment of a successful transition of societies from non- democratic to democratic systems is the potential of the civil sector and active involvement of the population and different stakeholders into the processes of decision making and managing political, economic and cultural projects. Croatian society, as numerous scientific analyses show, possesses an exceptionally low level of citizen activity in a sector considered to be an important link between the state and private sector, not to mention a necessary corrective of the processes, in case of adoption of decisions aimed against the public interest in the long- term. For this reason, every action aimed to warn about irregularities related to the manners various business or state subjects function and operate is a welcome news for development of a democratic potential of the society. On the other hand, this is always disputed by those in position of power since the spread of democracy tapers their power.
In the introduction we want to underline the importance of sport in society and describe sport in the context of public policy that has effect on other public policies. Sport affects politics, economy, culture, identity which makes it an important factor in the policy of a country. Therefore, the importance of football as the most popular and most influential sport in Croatia is imposed realistically as a consequence of the importance of sport.
Although sport rarely is a primary topic of public political discussions, we think that its importance is neglected and that the impact of sport at an amateur, and especially recreational level can bring multiple benefits for health, educational and criminal policies of a society. Habits acquired by engaging in sport activities impact society in the long-term and permanently.
The importance of sport is additionally extended and professionalized by the fact that sport is becoming more and more of a mass phenomenon. Involvement of a larger number of active participants has allowed it to become a great business and to distance itself from the initial ideal of the game. The Dutch historian Johan Huizinga points out that “it is today in particular, that the tendencies to subtract the characteristics of a game, i.e. amusement and spontaneity,
1 come to the fore”. The domination of market elements combined with exquisite competitiveness takes away the pristine element of sport. In so doing, it is not to be forgotten that a player is above all a person, and only then a football player.
1.2 Hajduk as a stakeholder in the process of change
Having asserted the importance of sport in society, it is important to assert the importance of HNK Hajduk for the Croatian sport, which makes it a crucial stakeholder whose moral obligation is to draw attention to the current situation in Croatian football and to offer possible, better solutions.
On the one hand it is all about the cultural code, inscribed in the very core and foundations of the club, perhaps best manifested through the expressions such as “Against the Darkness, Against the Force” (Kontra mraku, kontra sili) and “Defiance to the Powerful, Shield to the Weak” (Prkos moćnome, zaštita slabome). On the other hand it is about the visible continuity of such an identity, i.e. documented fight and resistance against injustice and inequality, written into the history of the club by ways of different acts – from insisting on the Croatian identity in the moments of founding and contempt to the Austro-Hungarian government, refusing the fascist salutation in Italy in 1927, rejection of participation in football competition under the Fascist Italy and renaming the club in 1941, rejection of participation in competition under the Quisling NDH, transfer to Vis in 1944, obtaining title of honorary team of Free France in the name of Charles de Gaulle, refusing to relocate to Belgrade and accept the identity of a regime and military club immediately after the World War II, and more recently, after “the people’s” awakening open opposition to accumulated irregularities and alienation of football competition and the national team (and the club itself, too) from its citizens and supporters.
The last stage is the crucial one, for apart from the rich historical factography that indicates continuity of a “corrective” identity, it provides an important argument (and we dare to say) and legitimacy to the club as the initiator of new relations and a new system in the governance of football in Croatia. In fact, one of the most important dimensions, necessary for a sustainable functioning of complex contemporary societies and challenges they meet, is an active
2 participation and engagement of different stakeholders in the organization system, which should lead towards a more responsible and sustainable management.
The very example of Hajduk demonstrates how, despite exceptionally difficult circumstances it operat