(foto: Nogomania)
Tempers flared after Celje’s 4–0 win over Koper in the Slovenian Cup final, with Ivica Guberac confronting coach Albert Riera in a near-altercation.
A dominant 4–0 victory for Celje in the Slovenian Cup final was overshadowed by heated scenes after the final whistle, as Koper sporting director Ivica Guberac attempted to confront Celje head coach Albert Riera.
The final, held at Stožice Stadium, was effectively decided by halftime, with Celje leading 3–0 and ultimately cruising to their first cup title since 2020. In the closing minutes, tensions rose on the pitch, culminating in a red card for Koper’s Felipe Curcio.
But the drama didn’t end there. Following the final whistle, Guberac stormed toward Riera, and what appeared to be a personal confrontation escalated quickly. The two have a known history of clashes, and emotions from the match seemed to spill over into the technical area.
The situation was on the verge of spiraling out of control until security staff, players, and coaching members from both clubs intervened, preventing a physical altercation. Several players appeared ready to get involved as tensions briefly reached boiling point.
While the trophy ceremony eventually went ahead without further incident, the post-match altercation marred what had been a commanding performance by Celje. The incident is likely to draw attention from league authorities in the coming days.