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This past weekend’s Euro 2016 qualifier in the city of Split between Croatia and Italy ended in a 1-1 draw, but the real news came before the first whistle was blown.
An image of a swastika burnt into a portion of the pitch was discovered by ground staff and could be seen during the game’s telecast.
How that was able to occur without the apparent knowledge of the ground staff is almost laughable, but it could spell bad news for the Croatian Football Federation. The game against Italy was already being played behind closed doors due to racist chanting by fans during a March fixture with Norway.
The president of the Croatian Football Federation, the HNS, Davor Suker, admitted this type of behaviour is a problem his organisation is trying to deal with, but European football’s governing body must act swiftly to send a message that this kind of behaviour will not be tolerated.
Whereas trouble in a Euro 2016 qualifier in October between Serbia and Albania arose from simmering ethnic tension over the disputed Kosovo territory, the issues with Croatian fan trouble appears to be based on the actions of ‘ultras’, ultra fanatical supporters trying to spread their brand of fascist anarchy.
Violence and the use of flares by a section of Croatian fans in the November fixture against Italy in Milan, followed by the aforementioned racist chanting against Norway and now this incident have kept a small minority of disruptive fans in the news.
While the use of a swastika may appear as a symbol used to invoke fear and hatred, it could also be seen as a show of misguided solidarity from Croatian ultras to notorious Italian ultras like those that make up a portion of Lazio’s fan-base. The connection goes even deeper to World War II when Croatian Ustase and Italian forces made up part of the Axis powers.
Both UEFA and local police have been called on by Croatian press officer Tomislav Pacak to investigate the ugly incident and focus must be placed on officials and ground staff at the Poljud Stadium in Split. It has been reported that the symbol was burnt into the pitch via a chemical agent between 24 to 48 hours prior to kick-off with it apparently timed to be visible for the match’s broadcast.
Questions must be asked as to how someone was able to gain their way onto the ground of an important upcoming European Championship qualifier, or why those with access to the ground would knowingly allow such an offence to be committed.
Fan trouble with flaring racial, fascist and ethnic tensions have been prevalent in the Balkans and southern and eastern European regions in the last few qualifying campaigns and it is time for football authorities to put their collective foot down to stamp it out.
While sanctions such as taking points from Croatia’s qualifying tally may seem to be the next logical step, it is an unfortunate one as it punishes the Croatian players and vast majority of their fans who want to attend matches peacefully and cheer on their talented countrymen such as Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic.
The HNS must work closely with fans, UEFA, and Croatian law enforcement to identify and punish those responsible, those who care not for their country’s success on the sporting field, but would rather make a notorious name for themselves.
This cooperation is one all footballing bodies must take as only through joint policing can such behaviour be eradicated.
Together we say, no more.
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