SOCCER-EURO/SWASTIKA Croatians apologise for swastika etched onto Euro 2016 qualifier pitch

Record ID: 150978

  • Title: SOCCER-EURO/SWASTIKA Croatians apologise for swastika etched onto Euro 2016 qualifier pitch
  • Date: 13th June 2015
  • Summary: SPLIT, CROATIA (JUNE 12, 2015) (REUTERS) CROATIAN FOOTBALL FEDERATION SPOKESMAN TOMISLAV PACAK AT NEWS CONFERENCE
  • Embargoed: 28th June 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Croatia
  • Country: Croatia
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA2U1NM2F6UBX7BKXXTM0Y304MJ
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Croatia's 1-1 Euro 2016 qualifying draw at home to Italy was marred by a racist incident when a large Nazi swastika appeared etched into the pitch in Split.
    Imprinted into the grass of the Poljud stadium, the swastika was noticeable in the first half of the Group H fixture, which was played without any fans present after the Croatians had been given a one-match ban for prior offences.
    "We would like to apologise to all fans watching the game on television, to players of both teams, to our guests from Italy, for the Nazi symbol which was visible on the pitch of the Poljud stadium during the game," Croatian football association (HNS) press officer Tomislav Pacak told a news conference after the match on Friday (June 12).
    "What we know so far is that some chemical was used which had been applied on the pitch sometime between 24 and 48 hours prior to the game, so that it would be visible during the match. The timing was perfect. We tried to fix this during half time, as much as was possible in that short period of time and we notified UEFA about it. This is obviously an act of sabotage and a felony, which we condemn and we call on the police to find the perpetrators responsible for this act, which is not only a disgrace for Croatian football, but also for the entire country as well," Pacak added.
    Croatia were already being punished for repeated offences by their supporters, who shouted racist slogans during a 5-1 home win over Norway in Zagreb in March.
    That came on the back of incidents in last November's 1-1 draw against Italy in Milan, when visiting Croatia fans twice halted play by hurling flares on to the pitch.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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