TARNISHED MODRIC THE KEY

Real Madrid star carries Croatia’s World Cup hopes

club Tottenham Hotspur in 2008.

He was the subject of bids from a host of big European clubs before joining Real Madrid in 2012.

Modric was highly popular in Croatia until he testified in the multi-million-euro corruption trial of former Dinamo Zagreb boss Zdravko Mamic.

Mamic, considered the most powerful man in Croatian football, is accused — along with his brother Zoran Mamic and two others — of abuse of power and corruption.

They allegedly deprived the former Croatian champions of more than €15 million (RM74 million), and the state of €1.5 million.

Cash was allegedly embezzled through fictitious deals related to player transfers, including Modric’s to Tottenham.

While testifying, Modric was visibly uncomfortable and confused, unable to even remember the year he made his debut for the national squad.

After prosecutors said his statement differed from the one he gave during investigations in 2015, Modric went from being a witness to a suspect.

He is being probed over alleged false testimony, which is punishable by up to five years in jail.

The prosecutors accuse Modric of wrongly saying that he had signed an annex to a contract with Dinamo, over conditions for future transfers, in July 2004.

During earlier questioning, the player said that the annex was signed after he had joined Tottenham. Modric’s testimony infuriated many Croatian fans as it could undermine the charges against Mamic, who they believe has abused football for personal gain.

Fans criticised Modric on social media, calling him “Mamic’s puppet“, while some even wanted him kicked off the Croatian squad.

“My conscience is clear,” the star told reporters in July.

“I’m certain that eventually it will be shown that I did not commit any criminal act.”

Modric told Spanish sports daily Marca in July that people were criticising him “without really knowing how things are“, although he appeared to be forgiven — at least for now — after the Kiev match.

Ahead of tomorrow’s contest, Modric said: “We have confidence but also a difficult rival” in Greece.

If Croatia qualifies it would be Modric’s sixth tournament. He has played in two World Cups and three European championships, including France 2016.

Modric has been capped 101 times by Croatia and scored 11 goals.

He took over as captain from Shakhtar midfielder Darijo Srna last year.

Croatia is at home in the first leg of the playoff, which will be played at the Zagreb Maksimir stadium. The return fixture is on November 12 in Piraeus.

The football federations of the two countries have agreed that, for security reasons, both matches will be played without visiting fans. AFP