UEFA goes easy on Croatia after fan incident

The European Football Federation (UEFA) only imposed a fine, but did not disqualify Croatia from Euro 2016 as feared by the country's players.

Excited fans threw 15 flares onto the field during the match against the Czech Republic on June 18. Photo: Reuters

UEFA met in Paris yesterday, June 20, to decide the punishment for Croatia, after the team's fans threw flares onto the pitch and fought in the stands during the 2-2 draw with the Czech Republic. According to the decision, the Croatian Football Federation (HNS) must pay a fine of 100,000 euros (about 113,000 dollars). In addition, UEFA will limit ticket sales to the team's overzealous fans if further incidents occur.

After UEFA announced the punishment, members of the Croatian team breathed a sigh of relief. Previously, midfielder Ivan Rakitic said he and his teammates were worried about being eliminated from Euro 2016 even though the team was ranked second in Group D with four points, with a good chance of reaching the round of 16.

This is not the first time Croatian fans have caused trouble. In the Euro 2016 qualifiers, the team was deducted a point, fined the same amount and forced to play two matches behind closed doors after fans displayed Nazi symbols during a friendly against Italy. In March, HNS received further punishments after fans displayed racist behaviour during friendlies against Israel and Hungary.

A group of Croatian fans are dissatisfied with the HNS leadership and are trying to disrupt the team's elimination from Euro 2016. The extremists believe that this is the only way to change the Federation's apparatus and the country's football.

According to VNE