UEFA Euro 2024: Croatia Fined for Fan Misconduct

The Control, Ethics, and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) of the Union of European Football Association (UEFA) has fined Croatia 105,000 euros for fan misconduct at the Euro 2024 match against Italy on June 24 in Leipzig. The disturbance necessitated the police to step in, with several fans taken into custody.

CEDB meted out fines of 45,000 euros for throwing objects under Article 16(2)(b), 30,000 euros for lighting fireworks under Article 16(2)(c), and 30,000 euros for crowd disturbance under Article 16(2)(h) of the Disciplinary Regulations.

Article 16 of the Disciplinary Regulations deals with order and security at UEFA competition matches. Article 16(1) states that host clubs and national associations are responsible for order and security inside and outside the stadium before, during, and after matches. They may also be subjected to disciplinary measures unless it can be proved that they were not negligent in the organisation of the match. However, Article 16(2) lists the inappropriate behaviours of the supporters for which the associations and clubs will be liable and susceptible to disciplinary measures, even if the absence of negligence in relation to the organisation of the match can be proved.

Incidentally, Croatia has been fined on earlier occasions on account of the throwing of objects and the lighting of fireworks by fans during their matches against Spain and Albania. Further incidents involving map displays and the chanting of anti-Macedonian and anti-Serbian slogans at the Croatia vs. Albania match led to more fines and the suspension of Albania’s Mirlind Daku for two games.

The tournament, which ended on July 14, was won by Spain for a record fourth time.