Thread by @DanijelMajic

It may surprise some readers that I decided to compile a #Thread in (something remotely similar) to English. But today I would like to talk about some Croatian Soccerclubs in the US. And of course about their affinity for symbols of the fascist Ustasha-Regime

I suppose that those of you who are interested in the matter have a basic understanding of who the Ustasha (Ustaša in B/K/M/S) and their short-lived nazi-backed "Independet State of Croatia (NDH) were. If not the English Wikipedia might be a starting point
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usta%C5%A…

To cut things short: We are talking about a regime that was involved in the Holocaust and is directly responsible for the killing of tens of thousands Serbs, Romani, Jews and political enemies

So while it should be clear, that this is the darkest period of Croatian history, some soccer clubs in the US obviously think otherwise. Let's start with the most obvious example Croatia Cleveland

In case you didn't see it: There is a symbol above the croatian "Šahovnica" (the checkered crest in the centre - which "coincidentally" starts with a white field in upper left corner). The letter "U" framed by a wavy pattern.

I suppose it is not hard to guess what this "U" stands for. It is the symbol of the Ustasha-Movement. Actually the exact same version of the logo as shown on the official flag of the Ustasha-state

To be fair. You will find different versions of Croatia Cleveland's Crest on the net. Also some without the Ustaha-Logo... and yet

This is what their official Facebook-Page looks like

And here is a jersey...

And now let's take a look at some of the pictures from the clubhouse published by the club itself on Facebook. Take a closer look at the crest on the mirror wall in the back.

And here is another one. Take a closer look at the background. There are two portraits on the wall at the far end of the room. Left: Franjo Tuđman, the first president of the modern Republik of Croatia. The man on the right (arrow) is none other than...

...this guy: Ante Pavelić. Founder of the Ustasha-Movement and later by Hitler's and Mussolini's mercy Ruler ("Poglavnik" of the fascist "Independent State of Croatia".

What a ride until here. And this was the first of three examples. Let's continue with HNK Croatia Connecticut.
Their Crests - I have to admit - don't allude to any ustasha symbols. I'll give them that

But don't worry they make up for that, by having this symbol on the back of some of their jerseys, where they display this common ustasha-symbol. The "U" of the movement combined with a cross which symbolizes the close connection to the catholic church

Or by using the exact same symbol for their facebook-posts

Or by adding the "U"-Symbol to the logo of their Supporters Club

Or by posing with the flag of the Ustasha-Youth-Branch (Ustaška mladež)

Or by calling this vehicle a "Crna Legija Tank". The Crna Legija (Black Legion) was an elite infantry unit of the ustasha best known for numerous war crimes against civilians during WWII.

Or by celebrating the 10th of April as "Dan državnosti" (Statehood Day) of Croatia. The "Statehood Day" of the modern Republic of Croatia is the 30th of June.

The 10th of April on the other hand is the date, to ustasha seized power in 1941

But Croatia Connecticut isn't the only Croatian Soccer Club celebrating the date of the establishment of the genocidal ustasha-state.

Here is one more Examples:

Croatia San Jose (actually using the map of a Greater Croatia as imagined by the ustaha)

And than their is San Pedro Croat. This club has also an interesting variety of Crests. While this one seems to be the one, that is currently used the most

They also use this version... again showing the outlines of Greater Croatia as imagined by the ustasha...

So to summon this up. Several Croatian Soccer Clubs in the US show open sympathy for a fascist regime, that murdered hundreds of thousands.

And as far as I can see nobody seems to care