FA fined over Croatia fan trouble

The Football Association has been fined £4,222 by Uefa for the conduct of England fans before last month's Euro 2008 qualifying defeat against Croatia.

And the Croatian FA has been fined £21,113 for a number of rule breaches.

The fine is a major disappointment to the FA, which contested the charge and is considering launching an appeal.

Nearly 200 Croatian fans and 31 England supporters were detained after trouble outside the Maksimir Stadium where Croatia won the Group E qualifier 2-0.

FA director of communications Adrian Bevington said the organisation was "surprised and disappointed" at the decision.

"The evidence we provided demonstrated clearly that England supporters were poorly treated at the stadium, and that extensive security and safety plans agreed with the Croatian authorities in advance for the handling of our fans were not implemented on the night," he said.

"First-hand accounts provided by England fans formed a significant part of our submissions.

"The FA maintains that neither we nor our supporters were responsible for the incidents that occurred. We have not yet received written reasons for this decision.

"Once they have been received and reviewed we will give serious consideration to launching an appeal."

Uefa's control and disciplinary body announced the fines following a hearing in Nyon, Switzerland on Thursday.

A statement read: "The Croatian Football Federation have been fined 50,000 Swiss francs for a serious lack of organisation, selling tickets on matchday without approval of the police, the English FA or Uefa, the throwing of missiles and the setting off of Bengal lights.

"The FA have been fined 10,000 Swiss francs for the improper conduct of their fans at the same match."