Croatian and Turkish federations face UEFA disciplinary proceedings

Flares are thrown onto the pitch during the Croatia-Czech Republic match in St Etienne on Friday.

There were 8,000 Croatian fans in the Saint-Etienne stadium.

HNS security officer Miroslav Markovic said on Saturday they had informed Croatian and French police as well as UEFA that “a certain number of hooligans” would do everything in their power to interrupt the game at the Geoffroy Guichard stadium. Several officials and stewards went to deal with the fire and one of them was hit in the face by a flare and this further intensified the situation.

Rosicky picked up the injury in the 2-2 draw with Croatia on Friday.

An earlier qualifier against Italy, in Milan, was also stopped in each half because of flares thrown on the field from a section of Croatia fans.

Arsenal fans have taken to the twitter-sphere in order to voice their pleas with manager Arsene Wenger to keep Czech Republican Tomas Rosicky at the club.

UEFA said the charges against Croatia related to racist behavior, crowd disturbances, throwing objects on the field and setting off fireworks.

“We have to say sorry to UEFA, the people at the match and all the people around the world who love football”.

Croatia players pleaded with fans to stop throwing missiles.

“I think most of our supporters are true supporters”, said Croatia midfielder Ivan Rakitic. “These are sports terrorists and they do what they want to do”. “Shame on you!” Kitarovic wrote Friday, recalling the June 2015 incident.

After the game, Croatia boss Ante Cacic called the supporters who threw flares on to the pitch “sports terrorists”.

The Croatia federation faces a five-figure fine when the case is judged on Monday.

During Euro 2016 qualifying, the team was already docked a point for its fans’ conduct.

UEFA issued the Russian Federation with a final warning and a suspended suspension.

The fans had been accused by Marseille prefect Stephane Bouillon of “participation in skirmishes linked to the England-Russia game”.

Three were convicted of offenses related to the violence and sentenced to prison terms of between one and two years.

Turkey supporters light flares during the Euro 2016 group D football match between Spain and Turkey at the Allianz Riviera stadium in Nice on June 17, 2016.