The Flares Came Late

Late in Croatia's Euro 2016 match against the Czech Republic, flares came out of the Croatian supporters' section at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in Saint-Etienne. Firecrackers and lit flares were thrown from the end of the stadium where Croatian fans were sitting. Croatia led 2-1 when the objects reached the pitch, turning a football match into an interruption with a score still hanging in the balance.

English referee Mark Clattenburg suspended play and restarted it only after the flares were cleared. The stoppage lasted several minutes. Reports said Croatian fans fought among themselves while players appealed for calm. A steward was almost hit by a firecracker, and Croatian goalscorer Ivan Perisic was also almost struck. The trouble was coming from Croatia's end, but its immediate reach was wider.

The match ended 2-2. UEFA opened disciplinary proceedings against the Croatian football federation, charging Croatia with crowd disturbance, throwing objects, setting off fireworks, and racist behaviour. UEFA's anti-discrimination monitors were reported to have heard fans sing far-right songs and display offensive banners. The federation therefore faced the formal case attached to conduct that had already disrupted the game and put people near the field at risk.

Then came the question of purpose. AFP reported that Torcida Split 1950 had posted a layout of the Bordeaux stadium before Croatia's next match against Spain, with a caption referring to “another plan.” The reported post concerned a different stadium and a later match. It sharpened suspicion, but did not establish that the Saint-Etienne interruption had been coordinated through it. What remained settled was the damage of the night: flares thrown, play stopped, a 2-2 result, and a UEFA case waiting for Croatia's federation.