Italy and Croatia Reportedly Charged by UEFA Following Racist Crowd Behavior

The Italian and Croatian national teams will undergo a hearing before UEFA's control, ethics and disciplinary body on Dec. 11 after being cited for allegedly racist behavior and setting off fireworks in the crowd during the teams' 1-1 draw on Sunday.    

BBC Sport notes the Croatian Football Association will face charges on the racist activity by unruly fans in the Euro 2016 qualifying match. The fans are alleged to have thrown missiles and set off fireworks, causing two stoppages in play.

The Italian Football Association is not charged in any connection with racist activity. Its fans are, like the Croatians, alleged to have disturbed play by setting off fireworks during the match. Players were taken off the pitch once in the first half and again in the second after a series of flares rained down on the playing surface.

Luca Bruno/Associated Press

"I apologise to everyone, especially the Italians, for our supporters' behaviour," Croatian coach Niko Kovac told reporters after the match. "I was disappointed and helpless, there are no right words for this. If someone has a problem, he has to deal with it outside the stadium."

Novak went on to say Croatia will face sanctions, but he does not believe the side should lose points in the table. Any decision on stripping points could be costly for the Croatians, who lead Group H on goal differential.

Sunday's tie leaves Italy and Croatia with 10 points apiece, and a solid Norway team sits with nine points in second place. Stripping Croatia of the tie and awarding the match to Italy, though unlikely, would result in the Italians taking the Group H lead.

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