ZORAN MAMIC, DINAMO ZAGREB COACH RESIGNS AND HEADS TO JAIL.
Written by admin on March 16, 2021
Dinamo Zagreb’s preparations for their Europa League clash with Tottenham have been thrown into disarray as coach Zoran Mamic has resigned after being sentenced to four years and eight months in prison for a multi-million euro fraud involving Luka Modric’s move to Real Madrid and other player transfers.
The Croatian champions announced Mamic’s departure late Monday as the club prepare to face Tottenham in Thursday’s Europa League last 16 return leg. Spurs lead 2-0 after last week’s first leg in London where striker Harry Kane got a brace.
Mamic’s exit came after the Supreme Court upheld a 2018 ruling by a local tribunal but reduced his initial prison sentence by three months.
“Although I do not feel guilty, as I said earlier if the verdict becomes final I will accept it and quit as Dinamo coach and sports director,” Mamic said in a statement.
Assistant coach Damir Krznar will replace Mamic as both manager and sports director.
In 2018, Mamic, his brother and former Dinamo Zagreb boss Zdravko Mamic, a former club director and a tax inspector were all found guilty of graft which, according to the indictment, cost Dinamo more than 15 million euros ($18 million) and the state 1.5 million euros.
The cash was embezzled through fictitious deals related to player transfers, notably two international stars — Real Madrid midfielder Modric and former Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren.
They both appeared as witnesses during the trial providing details of their transfers from Dinamo.
At the time Zdravko Mamic was sentenced to six years and six months in jail and the Supreme Court upheld his verdict.
He fled to neighbouring Bosnia just ahead of the verdict.
