Croatia has been fined a substantial amount of €105,000 by UEFA for incidents that occurred during the Euro 2024 match against Italy. The Croatian Football Association announced the fine, mentioning that Croatian fans were involved in throwing objects, lighting flares, and demonstrating inappropriate behavior during the game in Leipzig. This behavior was in stark contrast to the previous matches hosted in the city, indicating a significant issue with fan behavior during the Euro 2024 tournament.
Leipzig police were actively involved before, during, and after the Croatia vs. Italy game, making several arrests and detaining known troublemakers among the Croatian fans. It was reported that several high-risk fans were prevented entry into Germany by the Federal Police the day before the match. Despite these efforts, around 10,000 Croatian fans participated in the fan march, leading to the need for preventative police checks to identify high-risk individuals. Pyrotechnic products were also misused at the stadium, prompting police intervention.
Post-game reports indicated that approximately 20 Croatian fans physically assaulted Italian supporters, resulting in two individuals requiring hospitalization. As a result, 11 Croatian and Bosnian suspects were taken into custody and are currently under investigation for causing grievous bodily harm. This violent behavior adds to the list of infractions and incidents during the Euro 2024 tournament, tarnishing the reputation of both the Croatian Football Federation and the fans involved.
It is essential to note that this is not the first time Croatia has faced fines and sanctions for fan behavior during UEFA matches. Prior incidents involved the lighting and throwing of flares during a game with Albania, indicating a pattern of misconduct among certain segments of Croatian fans. These repeated offenses raise concerns about the measures in place to address fan behavior and security at such high-profile events like the Euro 2024 tournament.
The fine imposed by UEFA on Croatia serves as a stark reminder of the importance of upholding standards of conduct and sportsmanship both on and off the field. Incidents of violence, misconduct, and inappropriate behavior by fans not only reflect poorly on the teams and federations involved but also pose a threat to the safety and enjoyment of all spectators. Moving forward, it is imperative for all stakeholders to work together to prevent such incidents and ensure that football matches are celebrated for the sport and camaraderie they promote, rather than marred by acts of aggression and misconduct.