• Football

Simunic fined for 'pro-Nazi' chants

ESPN staff
November 21, 2013
Simunic celebrates Croatia win with pro-Nazi chants


Croatia defender Josip Simunic has been fined €3,200 for "spreading racial hatred" after allegedly leading pro-Nazi chants during celebrations of his country's World Cup qualification.

Croatia booked their place at Brazil 2014 with a 2-0 win over Iceland on Tuesday and Simunic was a key figure in leading the post-match chants with the home crowd.

Video footage appears to show Simunic grabbing hold of a microphone and it is believed he yelled "For the homeland!" The fans responded: "Ready".

That was the war call used by Ustashas, the Croatian pro-Nazi puppet regime that ruled the state during World War II when tens of thousands Jews, Serbs and others perished in concentration camps.

Australian-born Simunic initially defended his actions, insisting he was "supporting" his "homeland", but Croatia's public prosecutors handed down the fine, claiming the 35-year-old was aware of the call's meaning.

FIFA are also considering further disciplinary action.

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