CROATIA COACH Slaven Bilic has condemned some of his country’s fans after racist behaviour landed the Croatian Football Federation in hot water with Uefa.
Speaking on the eve of their decisive Euro 2012 Group C match against European and world champions Spain, Bilic warned them to stay away from the stadium.
“It’s very disappointing to hear that some of our supporters have behaved like this,” said Bilic. “I don’t like these people . . . We are angry with these stupid fans as well. We need to stop them forever.”
Bilic, who played in England for West Ham United and Everton and was part of the Croatia side that came third at the 1998 World Cup in France, denied that racism was endemic in Croatia.
“That’s my personal opinion,” he said. “I think that there is a problem all over Europe and the world. But . . . I don’t think there is a specific problem in Croatia with racism. We are a tolerant society.”
Uefa charged Croatia’s Football Federation for alleged racist chants and symbols displayed by fans during the Group C match against Italy in Poznan on Thursday. A leading independent anti-racism organisation which is monitoring crowds at Euro 2012 also said hundreds of Croatian fans had racially abused Italy striker Mario Balotelli.
Uefa is investigating reports that a banana was thrown on to the pitch in the same game and is looking into racist chanting during two other matches at the tournament. Croatia will reach the quarter-finals as group winners if they beat Spain today while a draw of 2-2 or higher would also take them through to the knockout phase.
Meanwhile Russia’s surprise elimination by underdogs Greece was a “wake-up call” for holders and favourites Spain, said striker Fernando Torres yesterday.
The Spanish are level with Croatia on four points at the top of Group C ahead of their clash in Gdansk and Torres said Russia’s 1-0 loss to the Greeks showed that even teams with one foot in the last eight needed to be on their guard. Italy, who play the Republic, are third in Group C on two points and would be knocked out if Spain and Croatia play out a scoring draw of two goals each or more.
“Croatia need to win as well and we have watched videos of them and are aware of their strengths and know how to approach the game, said Torres. “We believe we can . . . win the game, but it’s important to respect the opponent.
Spain coach Vicente del Bosque said Russia’s fate was the latest shock result in a sport that regularly threw up surprises.
“It tells me that in football there are always lessons like this,” he said, citing the semi-finals of the European Champions League when Chelsea stunned Barcelona and Bayern Munich knocked out Real Madrid.
Spain will be at full strength. Sergio Busquets has recovered from a minor foot injury and Fernando Torres is set to lead the attack for the second consecutive game.
Tottenham playmaker Luka Modric will play in support of Croatia striker Mario Mandzukic, joint-top scorer of the competition with three goals. Tonight, 7.45pm (Irish time)
PGE Arena, Gdansk, Poland
On TV: BBC 1
Substitutes from:
23 Subasic; 12 Kelava; 3
Simunic; 4 Buljat; 6 Pranjic;
21 Vida; 16 Dujmovic; 14 Badelj; 19 Kranjcar; 15 Vrsaljko; 22 da Silva; 18 Kalinic.
Misses next match if booked: Modric, Kranjcar, Schildenfeld.
Coach:
Slaven Bilic
Referee:
Wolfgang Stark (Germany).
Substitutes from:
23 Reina; 12 Valdes; 2 Albiol; 5 Juanfran; 4 Martinez; 20 Cazorla; 13 Mata; 22 Navas; 10 Fabregas; 7 Pedro; 19 Llorente; 11 Negredo.
Misses next match if booked: Alba, Arbeloa, Torres, Alonso, Martinez.
Coach:
Vicente del Bosque.
