The report says prosecutors allege that Simic sought approval for a campsite on land outside an authorised construction zone. A former regional official is accused of helping secure the permit, while a local businessman allegedly acted as an intermediary.
The proposed site reportedly involved 10 pitches and capacity for up to 30 people. Simic was also reportedly detained briefly in Zagreb in July, while local authorities had previously filed complaints over alleged construction in a protected coastal area.
Those details remain allegations that will have to be tested through the legal process. The report says the charges could carry a prison sentence of up to five years if they resulted in a conviction.
The case has attracted attention because of Simic’s standing in Croatian football. He began his senior career with Dinamo Zagreb, later playing for Inter Milan, AC Milan and Monaco.
At international level, he was part of the Croatia team that finished third at the 1998 World Cup. His career also included major honours with Milan, while he became Croatia’s first player to reach 100 caps before retiring from international football in 2008.
That record ensures the allegations will be viewed against the background of a prominent sporting career, rather than as an isolated local dispute.
The next storyline is the legal response: whether prosecutors provide further evidence and how Simic’s defence challenges the claims. Until then, the allegations remain unresolved, with his football achievements separate from the outcome of the case.