Croatia Docked 1 Point in Euro 2016 Qualifying After Swastika Incident vs. Italy

Croatia have been docked a point in their bid to qualify for UEFA Euro 2016. The sanction comes after a swastika appeared to have been displayed on the pitch for their Group H draw with Italy in June.

UEFA's official site broke the news. The report also carried details about sanctions for Croatia's upcoming fixtures: "The [Croatian football federation] HNS has also been ordered to play its next two home matches in UEFA competition behind closed doors and not to play any of its remaining qualifying games at the Stadion Poljud in Split. In addition, the HNS has been fined €100,000."

The loss of a point leaves Croatia just one point ahead of Italy, with the official UEFA group tables not yet updated to reflect the punishment. It also offers some hope for qualification for Norway, who will now sit just three points off the group leaders.

That has added significance to the clash between Norway and Croatia in Oslo on September 6.

European Football's governing body has acted quickly over this incident. An inquiry and disciplinary proceedings were opened barely two days after the fixture, per Guardian Sport.

The image had been stained onto the playing surface. Following the incident, a spokesman for the Croatian football federation said:

"

We expect police to identify the perpetrators. This is a disgrace for the whole of Croatia.

As far as we have learned, the symbol was imprinted into the pitch between 24 and 48 hours before the match so that it could be visible during the game. We apologise to all fans watching the game on television, to both teams and to our guests from Italy for the Nazi symbol.

"

UEFA have moved quickly to send out a warning against hate rhetoric appearing at football stadiums.