Football
Associated Press 8y

UEFA opens case against Croatia after trouble vs. Czech Republic

PARIS -- UEFA has formally opened a disciplinary case against the Croatian football federation for fan disorder at a European Championship game.

Play was stopped for several minutes late in Croatia's 2-2 draw with Czech Republic in Saint-Etienne on Friday when firecrackers and lit flares were thrown on the field from one end of the stadium where their fans were. Croatia fans then fought among themselves as players appealed for calm.

UEFA says the charges relate to racist behaviour, crowd disturbances, throwing of objects on the field, and setting off fireworks.

Speaking after the game, Croatia manager Ante Cacic hit out at the "sports terrorists" whose actions marred their match.

It is the second round of charges involving Croatia fans in France. UEFA charged the federation over flares being lit and a fan running on the field to celebrate a goal with Croatia players in a 1-0 win over Turkey last Sunday. That case will be judged on July 21.

During qualifying for Euro 2016, Croatia were ordered to close a section of their grounds for a game as punishment for fans' racist behaviour and crowd trouble -- including setting off fireworks and throwing missiles -- at a game in Italy.

Croatia were then docked a point in their qualifying campaign due to the racist behaviour of their fans in the return match against Italy, when a swastika was mown into the pitch.

Meanwhile, Turkey have also been hit with a second round of disciplinary charges for fan misconduct at the tournament.

UEFA says it opened a case against the Turkish football federation for a fan running toward the field during a 3-0 loss to Spain in Nice on Friday.

UEFA's disciplinary panel will hear the case as well as the case against Croatia on Monday and will also judge charges of fans lighting and throwing flares and fireworks.

The Turkish federation was also charged for fans lighting and throwing fireworks in their loss against Croatia in Paris.

Earlier this week, Russia were fined €150,000 and handed a suspended disqualification from Euro 2016 over crowd disturbances at their game against England.

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