Flares are thrown onto the pitch during the Euro 2016 Group D soccer match between the Czech Republic and Croatia at the Geoffroy Guichard stadium in Saint-Etienne
Developments and events yesterday from football’s European Championship (all times are Paris time):
12:55 p.m.
The prefect for Saint-Etienne has blamed UEFA for the crowd trouble at the match between Croatia and the Czech Republic at Stade Geoffroy Guichard.
Evence Richard, the top official in the Saint-Etienne area, told local media that UEFA should have added “between 150 and 200” security agents at the stadium “to properly fulfill its mission.”
Play was stopped for several minutes late in Croatia’s 2-2 draw with the Czech Republic on Friday when firecrackers and lit flares were thrown on the field from one end of the stadium where Croatian fans were sitting. Croatia fans then fought among themselves as players appealed for calm and French police had to intervene inside the venue.
One Croatia fan who smuggled a flare into the arena was arrested and will be brought before a judge next week.
Richard says “the fans were allowed to enter the stadium 30 minutes late, there was one gate which remained closed during the whole evening and between 2,000 and 3,000 spectators had not accessed the stadium when the match started.”
UEFA has opened a disciplinary case against Croatia’s national soccer federation following the incidents.
12:50 p.m.
A Portugal fan who ran on the field to get a selfie with Cristiano Ronaldo will cost his national soccer federation a fine.
UEFA says it has opened a disciplinary case against the Portuguese federation for a “field invasion.”
UEFA holds national teams responsible for the behavior of their fans inside a stadium.
The man ran across half the field from behind one goal at Parc des Princes after Portugal drew 0-0 with Austria on Saturday.
He caught up with Ronaldo near the halfway line, and Ronaldo gestured to a security official to stay back until the fan got the picture.
The fan was then led away.
12:36 p.m.
UEFA has charged the Hungarian soccer federation for fan disorder inside the stadium at a European Championship match in Marseille.
UEFA says its disciplinary panel will judge charges of “crowd disturbances,” throwing objects and setting off fireworks on Tuesday.
Fans clashed with stewards and some police before the game when trying to climb a fence to enter a section behind one goal. Riot police then formed in lines in front a section of Hungary fans, in the same end of Stade Velodrome where Russians attacked England fans one week earlier.
Hungary fans then lit or threw flares or firecrackers during the national anthems, when Iceland was awarded a penalty kick, and after their team scored a late goal in a 1-1 draw.
UEFA is likely to impose a fine. AP
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