Thursday 23 July 2015

Croatia deducted one point for swastika in Italy clash

 Croatia deducted one point for swastika in Italy clash
Uefa has disciplined the country for racism after the symbol was found printed on the pitch during their 1-1 draw with Antonio Conte's men

Croatia have been deducted one point from 2016 European Championship qualifying Group H and fined €100,000 for racism in their clash with Italy in June.

The 1-1 draw in Split ensured Niko Kovac's men stayed two points clear of Italy at the top of their pool, but the match was overshadowed by the presence of a swastika that was marked on the pitch.

The Croatian Football Federation (HNS) apologised for the incident, but Uefa has responded with a deduction and a fine, while the team will have to play their next two home matches behind closed doors. They are also not allowed to play in Split in their remaining Euro 2016 qualifying fixtures.

The association have three days to lodge an appeal against the ruling.

The game against Italy had been played behind closed doors as Croatia were already being punished for racist chanting in a game against Norway.

Coach Kovac has previously slammed the national team fans for "embarrassing" behaviour and was even confronted by a group of hooligans ahead of the game against Antonio Conte's men.

The punishment leaves Croatia one point ahead of the Azzurri with four games left to play. Their next match is away to Azerbaijan in September and their only remaining home tie is against Bulgaria in October.

Source by
SportGigs

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