Croatia fined $112,000 by UEFA for fan misconduct at Euro 2024
Croatia's Martin Erlic, right, and Italy's Riccardo Calafiori challenge for the ball as plastic cups and glasses litter the pitch during the Group B match between Croatia and Italy at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Leipzig, Germany, Monday, June 24, 2024. Credit: AP/Sergei Grits
FRANKFURT, Germany — Croatia was fined 105,000 euros ($112,500) by UEFA for fan misconduct at a European Championship elimination game against Italy, the federation said on Friday.
The financial penalty is the biggest by UEFA announced at the tournament, and the second for Croatia. A separate investigation by UEFA is ongoing into alleged racism involving both sets of fans at Croatia’s second Euro 2024 game, against Albania.
The separate fines for incidents at the Croatia-Italy game on Monday were 45,000 euros for throwing objects, including beer cups, 30,000 euros for lighting flares and fireworks, and 30,000 euros for “inappropriate behavior” that was not specified.
UEFA fined Croatia 27,500 euros for fans lighting and throwing fireworks at the game against Albania.
The Croatian federation earned 9.2 million euros in tournament prize money by UEFA.
Croatia was eliminated by drawing with Italy 1-1 in Leipzig. Italy scored in the eighth and final minute of stoppage time.
The game could have been the international farewell for Croatia great Luka Modric, at age 38. His goal against Italy set a tournament record as the oldest ever scorer.
Croatia's Luka Modric reacts at the end of Group B match between Croatia and Italy at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Leipzig, Germany, Monday, June 24, 2024. Credit: AP/Sunday Alamba