GROUP D | CROATIA - SPAIN
Spain-Croatia threatened by ultras 'Torcida Split' - video
Torcida Split is one of the most violent ultras groups in the Croatian football spectrum, as this video shows...
With Croatian supporters promising disruptions during their match against Spain, the worry is that certain groups amongst the dissenting fans will take the next step and turn the evening into another ugly spectacle of football violence.
The Croatian Minister of Interior broadcasted his fears on Monday, a radical group displayed banners in the streets of Split confirming their intentions to disrupt proceedings (as they did in Croatia’s last match against the Czech Republic on Friday) warning their protests against the Croatian Football Federation could not be stopped. “Tomorrow will not be the day you get rid of us,” read one banner, while another declared that “the fans are close to victory.”
Nazi symbol
The radical group behind the disturbances, which accuse the CCF of corruption and using the national side for a money making tool, were also responsible for penalties imposed on the Croatia team during qualification for the tournament. A Nazi symbol was marked on the pitch ahead of their qualifier against Italy last year, for which UEFA docked one point and ordered Croatia to play two games behind closed doors.
"Sports terrorism"
The Croatian Football Federation (CFF) was fined 100,000 euros on Monday after flares were thrown onto the pitch in St Etienne during the 2-2 draw with the Czech Republic, causing the game to be halted for a number of minutes. The disturbances have caused scandal in the Balkan nation, with coach Ante Cacic branding the perpetrators “sports terrorists”.
This video shows ''Torcida Split', one of the most active ultra groups in Croatia, who are out to hijack the tie against Spain to make their point.