Dinamo Zagreb fans lob objects at Declan Rice during Champions League clash
Dinamo Zagreb fans launched objects at Declan Rice during their Champions League clash against Arsenal at the Emirates on Wednesday.
The first incident occurred inside the opening 10 minutes as Rice, who scored early-on, went over to take a corner in front of the rowdy away section.
Unsavoury scenes unfolded with a few different things thrown in Rice’s direction, including empty beer cups and what appeared to be lighters.
Fans of the Croatian club targeted England international Rice again just before the 30-minute mark as he went to take another corner, with football pundit Tim Sherwood branding them as ‘idiots’ on Sky Sports News.
Arsenal fans have been left furious on social media, with one fan labelling the behaviour of Dinamo Zagreb supporters as ‘disgusting’ and another calling them ‘dirty’, insisting that they should be ‘banned for life’.
Rice opened the scoring for Arsenal against Dinamo Zagreb after just two minutes following some impressive attacking play from the Gunners.
Gabriel Martinelli found Kai Havertz with a cross into the Dinamo Zagreb area – with the German superbly cushioning the ball back into the path of Rice – who lashed an unstoppable volley into the back of the net.
After he was later targeted by Dinamo Zagreb fans while taking a corner, Arsenal supporter @LadyDMash described them as ‘scummy’ on X.
A second Arsenal supporter, @thefoggingoat, added: ‘That is so so wrong and weird what those Zabreg fans are doing!’
@Red_London21 posted: ‘Why are they throwing cups at Declan Rice? Disgusting behaviour from that fanbase.’
The Sun football journalist Jordan Davies said: ‘Declan Rice is being pelted with all sorts at every corner he takes, from plastic cups to what appear to be lighters. So far, the dirty tactic is working.’
Rice has been one of Arsenal’s most important players since joining the club from West Ham in a £105m deal in 2023.
The midfielder has played over 70 games for Mikel Arteta’s side to date and is hoping to clinch a second trophy with the Gunners this season, having helped them land the Community Shield two years ago.
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