Croatia punished for behavior of fans during Italy game

BY foxsports • December 13, 2014

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Croatia must partially close its stadium for a European Championship qualifying match as punishment for fans' racist and hooligan behavior in Italy.

Fans twice disrupted Croatia's 1-1 draw at San Siro on Nov. 16 and threw lit fireworks. The teams left the pitch and riot police were deployed.

UEFA says its disciplinary panel ordered an 8,000-seat section of Maksimir Stadium in Zagreb closed when Group H leader Croatia hosts Norway on March 28.

UEFA did not specify details of the racist behavior.

Croatia's football federation was also fined 80,000 euros ($100,000).

UEFA imposed the same fine when Croatia fans made monkey noises at Italy forward Mario Balotelli in a Euro 2012 match in Poland.

The latest incidents cost the Italian federation a 13,000 euros ($16,000) fine.

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