Hooliganism took centre stage at the Euros once again as Croatian ultras threw flares onto the pitch — one of which hit a steward — whilst the national side was in action against the Czech Republic. A number of supporters then started to fight among themselves leading to a halt in proceedings.
Just days after UEFA issued a warning against England and handed a suspended disqualification to Russia due to the misdemeanors of their fans, another horrifying incident of football hooliganism took place at Saint-Etienne. In a Group D game against the Czech Republic, a bunch of Croatian fans brought the game to a halt by launching flares. One of the flares thrown injured a steward who was stationed beside the byline.
Here’s that flare incident plus fight scenes at the #CZECRO match earlier. Has to be sanctions coming #CRO‘s way. pic.twitter.com/sKEy803JYj
— Onefootball (@Onefootball) June 17, 2016
Taking note of how events unfolded in Saint-Etienne, the Croatian authorities are likely to be reprimanded by the UEFA. The governing body announced via a statement that “disciplinary proceedings will be opened tomorrow once UEFA has received the official reports of the match delegate and referee.”
This is how Twitter reacted to the horrifying incident:
“I saw horrible punches being thrown”
An eyewitness account of #CRO crowd troublehttps://t.co/XPti4rwhJ8#CZECRO pic.twitter.com/cWbOD7boJI
— BBC 5 live Sport (@5liveSport) June 17, 2016
Here’s the explanation as to why the hooligans did what they did today during #CZECRO they’re trying to sabotage us pic.twitter.com/8PRC4eTajd
— Aspiring Pilot (@Anton_Osterman) June 17, 2016
So disappointed in those so called fans right now. They basically lost us the game. #EUO2016 #CZECRO
— Diana (@Slo_Cro) June 17, 2016
I wonder as to how these materials can be sneaked into world class football stadiums,this has never happened in cricket stadiums.#CZECRO
— Adarsh Anshuman (@adarsh3695) June 17, 2016
Do not even blame the team or true supporters for this, blame the idiots who wanted this to happen! #CRO #CZECRO
— leonarda (@selenurssparkle) June 17, 2016
An amazing game ruined by the Croatian fans! It’s a shame on the French security! No one is going to talk about the game today #CZECRO
— Janak Wakankar (@JK_Waks) June 17, 2016
The euros are genuinely out of control. Considering France is on ‘high alert’ its shocking the amount of flares have gone off #CZECRO
— AJG (@aeschleahjade) June 17, 2016
‘Hey guys, we’re winning, do u know what we should do? Completely destroy our teams mental state& disrupt the game’ #CZECRO
— Abi (@abicgil) June 17, 2016
Such a shame that the beautiful game is being brought into disarray by a few stupid, mindless fans. Ruining the event for everyone. #CZECRO
— Warren Palmer (@Warrendinho) June 17, 2016
Certain fans behaviour has been terrible – BUT French security bosses need to be held accountable for poor organisation again #CZECRO
— ➖Ben Capper➖ (@BenJCapper) June 17, 2016
Doffing my cap to Clattenburg.
Handled a potentially unpleasant situation with aplomb and then made the right penalty decision. #CZECRO— BlackFlag23 (@blackflag23) June 17, 2016
Only Mark Clattenburg could have reffed that game… The drama just follows him #CZECRO
— Liam Feaviour (@Liam_Feaviour) June 17, 2016
Can’t believe Croatia have let this slip… and can’t help but think those flares had something to do with it psychologically… #CZECRO
— Copa90 (@Copa90) June 17, 2016
Was feeling thoroughly fed up with human behaviour, so thought I’d turn on the football to escape and cheer myself up. FFS. #CZECRO
— Adam Terry (@adamrossterry) June 17, 2016
