England, Croatia fined for fan trouble

Nyon:

The English and Croatian soccer federations were fined by UEFA on Thursday for fan trouble. Croatia beat England 2-0 on October 11 in a European Championship qualifier. Before the match started, English fans tried to get into the Maksimir Stadium in Zagreb, but Croatian security staff closed the gates and the visiting fans clashed with riot police. UEFA fined the Croatian Football Federation 50,000 Swiss francs and the English Football Association 10,000 francs. UEFA's control and discipline body said it fined Croatian soccer authorities "for a serious lack of organization, selling tickets on match day without approval of the police.'' Hunt banned It fined England for "the throwing of missiles and the setting-off of Bengal lights.'' UEFA also banned Germany under-21 striker Aaron Hunt for two matches after he was accused of racist behavior last month. The control and discipline body said Hunt had committed "gross unsporting conduct toward an opposing player'' during the European qualifier against England on October 10. The English Football Association complained to UEFA that Hunt allegedly called Micah Richards and Anton Ferdinand "monkeys.'' The Werder Bremen striker has denied making racist remarks and neither the referee nor the match delegate witnessed any such conduct. He has three days upon receipt of the decision to lodge an appeal, UEFA said.(AP)