Croatia face action as fans fight and throw flares

Croatia are facing Uefa sanctions after several flares were thrown on to the pitch and fighting broke out in the stands during'¨their 2-2 Euro 2016 draw with the Czech Republic.

Flares are thrown on to the pitch during the Euro 2016 Group D match between the Czech Republic and Croatia at the Geoffroy Guichard stadium in Saint-Etienne. Picture: Darko Bandic/AP

One steward was nearly hit by a firecracker which also just missed Croatia goalscorer Ivan Perisic. An official disciplinary case against the Croatian Football Federation is set to be opened today.

Croatia are already facing action over disturbances during their Group D opener against Turkey last Saturday and they were also docked a point in their qualifying campaign after a swastika symbol was seen on their pitch.

Former Croatia manager Slaven Bilic warned there will be more trouble after condemning the violent scenes.

The West Ham boss, who managed his country between 2006 and 2012, said: “The majority of the fans are telling them to not do it. Some of them are there on a mission. It’s probably not the last time they’ll do it.”

It is though some fans, in a dispute with their FA, might be deliberately causing trouble. Bilic added: “Croatia rarely play in Split, my hometown, and they think it’s all about Zagreb. It’s between the north and the south, Zagreb and Split – the two biggest clubs.”