Croatia sabotaged by own fans
Croatia were on course for an impressive win in St Etienne when their own fans intervened by throwing flares onto the field. They were 2-1 up with minutes to go when firstly flares landed on the field. Fighting broke out among their fans, as Croatia’s senior players tried to reason with them. A flare seemed to explode in a steward’s face while the game was suspended. Goalscorer Ivan Perisic was also very close to a flare which exploded.
Croat fans unveiled a political banner
Photo: Asif Burhan
When the game resumed, the Czechs won a penalty for a seemingly needless handball and leveled the game.
European football journalist Andy Mitten told the BBC that it was a staged and planned fight between ultras from Zagreb and Split and that “horrible punches” were being thrown.
UEFA, who threatened to expel Russia over in stadium violence, will have to act severely against Croatia with expulsion a possible scenario.
Two of the most successful new countries in European football met in St Etienne. The Czech Republic have been regular qualifiers since they separated from Slovakia, and Croatia almost ever present as qualifiers. They both entered the fray as a result of the fall of the Eastern bloc with both sides entering as independent nations for the first time in EURO 96.
Since then, their qualification records have been excellent. The Czech Republic reached the final in their first tournament and have qualified for every finals since. Croatia have qualified for five of the six, only missing out in 2000. They also finished 3rd in the 1998 World Cup.
The Croats came in to this game on the back of a win over Turkey, the Czechs having narrowly lost to group favorites and reigning Champions Spain.
The first 45 minutes was as one sided a half as seen in EURO 2016 with the Croats pulverising the Czechs with very little being offered in return. The Latter held out until eight minutes from the interval. Inter Milan’s Iva Perisic picked up the ball on the left side just outside the penalty area, and ran at the defenders. He neatly dropped a shoulder to confuse a defender and finished with emphasis.
TV footage was chilling
They deservedly doubled their lead just before the hour mark Barcelona’s Ivan Rakitic chipped Peter Cech from inside the penalty area on a break away. Ivan Modric limped off injured shortly after for one of the few worrying moments for Croatia.
Milan Skoda pulled a consolation goal back for the Czechs with an amazing looping header. Marcelo Brozovic nearly added a third ina tournament where no-one has scored three so far.
Two minutes from time, the game was temporarily suspended when flares thrown by Croat fans landed on the field. Fighting was reported among the Croatia fans and announcements were made in Serbo Croat over the PA.
The Croat players went to their fans and remonstrated with them to behave. Fighting was reported among their fans and more objects were thrown on to the field.
Things were to get worse for the Croats. In stoppage time, referee Mark Clattenburg awarded a penalty against Croatia for a needless handball by Domagoj Vida. Substitute Tomas Necid converted it into the roof of the net.
Croatia now have to wait until UEFA investigates the events amid strong suggestions that some Croat fans were actively trying to sabotage their side. Video showed a local steward may have been injured.
The draw takes Croatia to four points and the Czechs to one, but that may not matter 48 hours from now.
