The Malta Independent 15 August 2026, Saturday
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Croatia face UEFA sanctions after San Siro match suspension, Italy risk penalties too

Associated Press Tuesday, 18 November 2014, 16:18 Last update: about 13 years ago

Croatia is facing UEFA sanctions for another case of racist behavior by fans in a European Championship match against Italy.

UEFA opened disciplinary cases against both football federations on Tuesday following a qualifying match in Milan on Sunday that was twice disrupted by hooligans.

Croatia has been charged with racist behavior, a repeat of when the teams met at Euro 2012 in Poland.

Then, UEFA fined Croatia 80,000 euros ($101,000) after Croatian fans made monkey noises at Italy forward Mario Balotelli.

UEFA has since approved tougher sanctions to impose in cases of racism and discrimination.

UEFA has also charged the Croatia federation over crowd disturbances and throwing lit fireworks on the field in Milan.

The referee ordered the players off field at San Siro during the Euro 2016 qualifier, which ended 1-1 after being halted in each half.

Riot police were deployed to quell Croatia fans in the second half before the match resumed with 17 minutes left.

The Italian federation has also been charged after fireworks were set off in the ground.

UEFA's disciplinary panel will deal with the cases on Dec. 11.

 

 

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