Croatia Ski Federation Faces €30M Corruption Investigation

Croatian authorities have opened a major corruption probe into the Croatian Ski Association, with suspected damages nearing €30 million.

The investigation is being led by USKOK, which alleges a long-running scheme involving fake invoices, international shell companies, and complex money transfers stretching across Europe.

According to investigators, a central figure, identified as the “first defendant”, coordinated a network of companies that billed the federation for services that never existed. Those involved allegedly approved the payments internally, then routed the funds through multiple countries before partially funneling them back under their control.

Independent reporting has linked that role to Vedran Pavlek, a longtime leader within Croatian skiing.

USKOK says the operation ran from 2014 through early 2026, moving money through countries including Austria, Spain, and Switzerland. Intermediary firms allegedly skimmed portions of the funds, while others withdrew money in cash or spent it on personal expenses, including luxury travel and real estate.

Six individuals are currently under investigation, with authorities describing the operation as a coordinated criminal network targeting a national sports organization.

No charges have been proven in court, and all individuals remain presumed innocent as the investigation continues. But the scale, and international reach, of the case is already raising questions about financial oversight within elite skiing.