Croatia slapped on the wrist after Nazi swastika painted on the soccer pitch

#FIFA should have lived up to #SayNoToRacism campaign after UEFA slapped Croatia on the wrist with a 1 point deduction for a painted Nazi swastika on the soccer pitch in its #Euro2016 qualifier. 



Photo by Andrej Isakovic/AFP/Getty Images published in the Washington Post.


(2) This isn't the first time Croatia has had to deal with racism on the pitch. Croatian Captain Josip Simunic was banned 10 matches for a Nazi salute in late 2013 after qualifying for the 2014 World Cup against Iceland.

 

AP photo in The Daily Mail.

The video of Simunic making the Nazi salute while addressing the crowd in The Daily Mail.

(3) In 2012, "Croatia was fined 80,000 Euros on Monday after Italy striker Mario Balotelli was racially abused by fans during a previous match."

(4) In the same CNN report, "UEFA cited the 'improper conduct of supporters (display of racist banners and symbols)' by Croatia fans during the game in Gdansk on Monday."


(5) In a related note, Croatian striker Mario Mandzukic used a Nazi salute during a Bayern Munich match in 2012. He could have been imprisoned up to three years in Germany but was not. 



Bottom Line : If FIFA and/or UEFA don't take more drastic action, will soccer fans take its #SayNoToRacism campaign seriously?

Sources

"Croatia punished for swastika on soccer field" by Marissa Payne in The Washington Post on July 23, 2015. 

"Josip Simunic to miss World Cup 2014 as Croatia defender loses appeal against 10-match ban for fascist salute" The Daily Mail. Published: 10:57 EST, 12 May 2014 | Updated: 10:57 EST, 12 May 2014.

"FIFA charge Josip Simunic over 'pro-Nazi' chants" on CNN.com. Updated 1936 GMT (0336 HKT) December 16, 2013.

"A Hitler salute for Croatian generals?" by Aleks Simic in eBritic on November 26, 2012.