ZAGREB, Aug 18 (Reuters) - FIFA have begun disciplinary proceedings against the Croatian Football Federation (HNS) following racist behaviour by Croatia fans, the world governing body said on Friday.
It said Croatian fans had formed a swastika and made the Nazi salute in the stands during a friendly against Italy in Livorno on Wednesday in which Croatia beat the World Cup winners 2-0.
Croatian soccer officials were not available for immediate comment but earlier on Friday they condemned the behaviour of Croat fans.
"I was really shocked and disappointed by the fans. They do not care about Croatia but only about themselves," HNS President Vlatko Markovic told the Jutarnji List daily.
Fans of FC Rijeka, named Armada, confirmed they were behind the incident.
"The Nazi cross was our response to provocations by (Italian fans) who waved the Yugoslav flag and communist symbols," one Armada fan told the Jutarnji List.
Chief HNS security official Zoran Cvrk fears the repercussions will hurt a joint bid by Croatia and Hungary to stage the 2012 European Championship.
"Each incident with fans is a shot in our bid to host the Euro 2012," he told the Vecernji List daily.
"This incident deserves to be treated severely. There is no doubt that both FIFA and (European soccer body) UEFA will condemn it. We call on the fans to help us find the perpetrators so that police can ban them from the stadiums."


taken from Guardian Unlimited

The Croatian federation expects to be punished by the sport’s ruling bodies after a group of about 200 fans formed a human swastika and gave Nazi salutes during the international friendly against Italy in Livorno on Wednesday.

“There is no doubt Fifa and Uefa will take action,� Zoran Cvrk, a spokesman for the federation, said yesterday. “It is terrible. Every form of racism, fascism or other, deserves the severest condemnation.�

The Fifa disciplinary committee yesterday began an investigation into the incident, although a spokesman could not say how long proceedings would take.


taken from Times Online

I believe that this all a big manipulation. For me it seems that this "action by the fans" was influenced by somebody, who don't want that the european soccer cup will take place in Croatia in 2012.

Hello,

I think so, too.

The fans must know what they're doing and which reactions would follow.
In my opinion the Croatian soccer fans wants that the european soccer cup will take place in Croatia in 2012. Why also should the fans act like they have done. There must been someone, who influenced them.

What do you think about this?

Alex

Croatia's soccer federation expects to be punished by the sport's ruling bodies after a group of its fans formed a human swastika and gave Nazi salutes at Wednesday's friendly at Italy.

"There is no doubt, FIFA and UEFA will take action," federation spokesman Zoran Cvrk said Friday. "It is terrible. Every form of racism, fascism or other, deserves the severest condemnation."

About 200 supporters arranged themselves into the Nazi symbol about 30 minutes into Croatia's 2-0 win at Livorno's Armando Picchi stadium. Many also gave Nazi salutes.
Police eventually moved in, forcing the fans to stop.

Livorno is known as a politically left-wing town and the Croatia fans claim to have been incited by the jeering of their national anthem and waving of flags of the old communist Yugoslavia.
Croatia fought a bloody war for independence from the old federation in 1991-95.

Croatian police are trying to identify the offenders and the soccer federation has appealed to leaders of local fan clubs to distance themselves from any members involved by naming them.

The national soccer boss, Vlatko Markovic, who labeled the act as "scandalous and despicable," said it was inevitable that FIFA and UEFA would punish the federation with a severe financial penalty.

He added that the incident was also a serious blow to the country's bid to host the 2010 European Championship.


taken from The Jerusalem Post

There were 200 supporters?

That's a huge number of people!

It must have been planed. Around 200 people cannot do the same in a knee-jerk reaction!

Alex

Yes, alex, that's my opinion, too. Argh! I get angry about that!

Me, too!

But what say the others to this topic?

Alex

ZURICH, Switzerland (AP) - FIFA is investigating the behaviour of 200 Croatian fans who formed a human swastika during Wednesday's exhibition game in Italy.

The fans formed the Nazi symbol about 30 minutes into Croatia's 2-0 win at Livorno. Many also gave Nazi salutes.

The Croatian fans contend they were incited by jeers of their national anthem and flags of the old communist Yugoslavia. Croatia fought a war for independence from 1991-95.

Soccer's governing body says it has gathered "pieces of information" about the salutes and human swastika. A committee is investigating whether such actions violated FIFA's disciplinary code regarding racism. FIFA did not know how long the investigation would take.

source: Link

Croatia's soccer federation expects to be punished by the sport's ruling bodies after a group of its fans formed a human swastika and gave Nazi salutes at Wednesday's friendly at Italy.

"There is no doubt, FIFA and UEFA will take action," federation spokesman Zoran Cvrk said Friday. "It is terrible. Every form of racism, fascism or other, deserves the severest condemnation."

About 200 supporters arranged themselves into the Nazi symbol about 30 minutes into Croatia's 2-0 win at Livorno's Armando Picchi stadium. Many also gave Nazi salutes.

Police eventually moved in, forcing the fans to stop.

Livorno is known as a politically left-wing town and the Croatia fans claim to have been incited by the jeering of their national anthem and waving of flags of the old communist Yugoslavia.

Croatia fought a bloody war for independence from the old federation in 1991-95.

Croatian police are trying to identify the offenders and the soccer federation has appealed to leaders of local fan clubs to distance themselves from any members involved by naming them.

The national soccer boss, Vlatko Markovic, who labeled the act as "scandalous and despicable," said it was inevitable that FIFA and UEFA would punish the federation with a severe financial penalty.

He added that the incident was also a serious blow to the country's bid to host the 2010 European Championship.


taken from sportsillustrated.cnn.com