Croatian PM writes to UEFA president

Croatian Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic on Wednesday wrote to Michel Platini, the head of the European football governing body UEFA, expressing his concern about the future of the Croatian national team in light of disciplinary action prompted by "a sad incident that occurred on the margins of the Euro 2016 qualifying match between Croatia and Italy in Split on June 12."

Milanovic was referring to a Nazi swastika symbol that was imprinted in the pitch of Poljud Stadium. He said that the as yet unidentified perpetrators were "clearly and resolutely" condemned by all sides of the political spectrum, by all state institutions and by a vast majority of the Croatian public.

Noting that Croatia had had the largest proportion of anti-fascist forces among the population in Nazi-occupied Europe in the Second World War, Milanovic said that this "heinous act" had no support or understanding in the Croatian society and was primarily directed against the Croatian Football Federation because of an internal conflict with a portion of fans and not against the Croatian national team and was by no means an expression of support for the Nazi or fascist ideology.

Milanovic said that the fans were deeply shocked after the incident and in fear of a just punishment. A draconic penalty that would seriously damage or even stop the national team's success would play right into the hands of those that want to bring down the Croatian Football Federation and would also destroy the national team. It would also leave an indelible scar on the souls of the Croatian fans and would cause long-term damage to football in Croatia, he said.

Milanovic appealed to the UEFA president not to let Euro 2016 be held without all the best national teams. The game must be played on the pitch, he concluded.

UEFA has launched disciplinary proceedings against the Croatian Football Federation after the Nazi swastika symbol incident in Split. "Disciplinary proceedings have been opened against the Croatian Football Federation (HNS)," it said in a brief press release on June 15.

The incident was described as racist behaviour under Article 14 of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations and proceedings were also launched for "improper conduct of the team".

A ruling on the matter is expected on July 16.

(Hina) vm

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