Italy beat Sweden by a late goal and Spain convincingly thrashed a low-spirited Turkey side 3-0 to join Italy in cruising into the last 16 of the 2016 European Championship.
Croatia could have joined them but for a crowd trouble that denied them victory against Czech Republic they had dominated. Croatian fans threw flares onto the pitch (which injured a match steward) and threw punches at each other at the stand in a free-for all fight to disrupt the match in the 88th minute (with Croatia leading 2-1 and perfectly in control of things)for five minutes. And when play resumed, their team were held to a 2-2 draw after losing focus due to the irritating distraction.
A very angry Croatian boss, Ante Cacic called their own fans football terrorists. “They are not really Croatia supporters. These people are scary and I call them hooligans,” said Cacic.
Their misbehaviour may not only have caused Croatia an early qualification for the last 16 but may now result in their expulsion from the competition.
European football governing body, UEFA has announced the commencement of investigation. And the chances are high that, if the body follows its precedents, the Croatian team may as well be on their way home.
Croatia have already been charged by Uefa after crowd trouble in their opening Group D game against Turkey.
cpcnews.org 