UEFA has begun disciplinary procedures today against Croatia and Turkey following flare-throwing incidents at Euro 2016 matches.
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Czech Republic’s team doctor Petr Krejci said earlier on Saturday that Rosicky would have a scan later in the day aimed at determining the nature of a thigh injury he picked up in the 2-2 draw with Croatia on Friday.
UEFA said Croatia was accused of crowd disturbances, racist behaviour, setting off fireworks and throwing objects.
Croatia coach Ante Cacic branded the fans “sports terrorists” while President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic labelled them “enemies of Croatia”.
UEFA is also expected to open disciplinary proceedings against the Turkish FA after some of the country’s fans set off flares at the end of their 3-0 defeat by Spain on Friday night.
Football-related violence in Croatia has increased since former player Davor Suker took over the federation, angering some fans who say he is too close to former Dinamo Zagreb boss Zdravko Mamic, a controversial figure in Croatia.
It’s known that they have been in conflict with the Croatian Football Federation (CFF) leadership for a number of years.
UEFA’s anti-discrimination monitors said Saturday they also reported hearing fans sing far-right songs and displaying offensive banners at the stadium.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Miro Kovac said he would talk to his French counterpart Jean-Marc Ayrault about security for Croatia’s next match against Spain in Bordeaux on Tuesday.
The Croatian federation has a previous record of indiscipline at football games.
Speaking after the match at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Cacic described those responsible as “sports terrorists”. It’s a group of maybe six, seven or 10 individuals.
The official bent down to pick up a flare thrown onto the pitch – but it went off inches from his face.
UEFA already deducted a point from Croatia in Euro 2016 qualifying when fans created a swastika image on the field before a home qualifying match in Split. The group are being expelled from France after violent clashes with England fans before last weekend’s Euro 2016 game between Russian Federation and England in Marseille.
The Czech Republic rarely looked like recovering after Perisic and Rakitic put Croatia 2-0 ahead but Milan Skoda’s 75th-minute header and Nedic’s stoppage-time penalty rescued a point.
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Croatia has caused the second major episode of stadium turmoil at Euro 2016 after Russian fans attacked English counterparts in the Marseille stadium last week.
