FIFA warns, fines World Cup playoffs teams Croatia and Greece for fans’ racism at qualifiers
ZURICH – FIFA has warned and fined World Cup playoffs teams Croatia and Greece for fans’ racist behaviour at qualifying matches last month.
FIFA announced the sanctions Saturday but did not order stadium closures for the playoff matches starting next week.
FIFA fined the Croatia Football Federation 35,000 Swiss francs ($38,000) for incidents during its 2-1 loss against Belgium in Zagreb.
Fans monitoring group Fare reported to FIFA that “Croatian supporters made far-right salutes which were used during World War II by the fascist Ustase movement.”
FIFA fined the Greek federation 30,000 Swiss francs ($32,500) following reports of far-right banners displayed when Greece beat Slovakia 1-0 in Athens.
In the playoffs, Croatia hosts Iceland in the second leg on Nov. 19, and Greece hosts Romania in the first leg on Friday.
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