Simunic claims innocence as celebration triggers fine and FIFA scrutiny

Josip Simunic

By Andrew Warshaw
November 22 – Croatia, who this week qualified for the World Cup finals at the expense of Iceland, face a possible backlash over defender Josip Simunic’s controversial celebrations. FIFA have begun disciplinary proceedings into events that followed the playoff second leg after Simunic was fined 25,000 kuna ($4,400) by Croatian public prosecutors for apparent pro-Nazi chants.

Australian-born Simunic is reported to have taken the microphone and shouted “Za dom” (for the Homeland), to which the crowd replied “Spremni” (Ready).

The salute is widely associated with Croatia’s Nazi-allied Ustasha regime, which ruled during World War II, and in a statement on its website, prosecutors of the Zagreb county court said Simunic had been found guilty of public disturbance and inciting ethnic hatred.

“He was aware that it symbolises the official salute from the time of Croatia’s totalitarian regime and as such represents a racist ideology,” the statement said.

The chant, coupled with the Nazi salute, has been used by Croatia fans in the past, leading to disciplinary punishments from FIFA and UEFA. But Simunic pleaded in a counter-statement he meant nothing wrong and that his outburst had no political intent.

“As a Croatian who was born and grew up outside my homeland, I associate home with love, warmth and positive struggle – everything we showed on the pitch to win our place in the World Cup,” said the Dynamo Zagreb player. “And these were the only reasons I got carried away with my emotions and why I started the kind of exchange with the supporters.”

The Jutarnji List newspaper quoted an official of FARE (Football against Racism in Europe) as saying Simunic was likely to be suspended for several games. “Even the thought that someone could put me in the context of incitement of hatred or violence is horrible,” the player responded.

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