Croatia faces UEFA disciplinary charge for fans' fascist flag at Euro 2024 qualifying game
ZAGREB, Croatia (AP) — UEFA has opened a disciplinary case against Croatia, the national soccer federation said Wednesday, after fans displayed a World War II-era fascist flag at a European Championship qualifying game.
The Croatian federation said fans raised a flag of the Ustase regime at the team’s 5-0 win over Latvia on Friday in Rijeka.
Croatia already is under probation by UEFA for “discriminatory behavior” by fans at the Nations League finals in June in the Netherlands. The federation could not sell tickets to fans when the team played Monday in Armenia, where it won 1-0.
The latest UEFA investigation could see Croatia ordered to play in an empty stadium when it hosts Turkey in a Euro 2024 qualifier on Oct. 12 in Osijek.
The federation said it immediately cooperated with authorities in Rijeka and would consider legal action against the fans.
Croatia leads its Euro 2024 qualifying group with four matches left and is favored to advance to the tournament in Germany.
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