Italy’s upcoming Euro 2016 qualification fixture against Croatia will now be played behind closed doors after a UEFA investigation.
UEFA’s disciplinary body had been mulling over a suitable punishment for Croatia after a number of their supporters demonstrated racist behaviour against Norway last month, and on Wednesday they made their decision on the course of action.
Croatia’s qualifier at home to Italy on June 12 has been made unavailable to supporters on the orders of the UEFA Disciplinary Committee.
The Azzurri are currently second in Group H to Croatia, and will have the opportunity to leapfrog the Vatreni with a victory at the empty Stadion Maksimir in Zagreb.
The reverse fixture in November 2014, which ended 1-1, was marred by visiting Croatia fans causing stoppages in both halves by throwing flares onto the San Siro pitch.
