Croatia’s national team coach Ante Cacic described the individuals responsible for the trouble as “sports terrorists” and European football’s governing body has now confirmed the opening of disciplinary proceedings against the national federation. When the match resumed Tomas Necid’s penalty four minutes into stoppage time helped secure a draw for the Czechs.
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On Saturday, the Croatian federation apologized to “the spectators at Saint-Etienne, to the television audience, and the Czech Republic national football team”. Last week in Marseille, they were involved in three days of intense fighting that left one England supporter seriously injured.
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.
One Croatia fan who smuggled a flare into the arena was arrested and will be brought before a judge next week.
UEFA began disciplinary procedures today against Croatia and Turkey following flare-throwing incidents at Euro 2016 matches.
Speaking through a translator, Cacic described those responsible for the incidents as “sports terrorists” and said the Croatian football authorities can’t fight against these “hooligans” on its own.
Exactly why it happened, which provoked clashes among Croatia fans themselves, was not immediately clear.
A police official told Reuters on Saturday 11 hardcore fans known as “ultras” – some of them carrying neo-Nazi banners – had been detained in Nice before Friday’s Spain vs Turkey match.
“I felt well, I knew we needed a point so I forced it even when I had run out of steam”, said Rosicky.
Suker, who became a UEFA Executive Committee member past year, has often been accused by fans of pursuing a personal agenda while neglecting Croatia’s dilapidated league infrastructure.
Croatia have already been in trouble for their fans’ behaviour during Euro 2016, being charged for a pitch invasion and letting off fireworks in their 1-0 win over Turkey on Sunday at the Parc des Princes in Paris.
UEFA is likely to impose a fine.
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After 10 years under Arsene Wenger, Rosicky managed just six minutes of action in an Arsenal shirt last season.
