A military operation in 1995 causes a fine from "FIFA" on Croatia
The International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA) imposed a fine on the Croatian national team, which reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup Qatar 2022, as a punishment for the behavior of its fans towards Canadian goalkeeper Milan Burian.
A FIFA statement indicated that a disciplinary investigation imposed a fine of 50,000 Swiss francs on the Croatian Federation ($53,000) "in connection with the behavior of Croatian fans during the Croatia vs. Canada match in the FIFA World Cup on November 27."
Croatian fans insulted Borjan, who is of Serbian origin and was born in Croatia before fleeing it as a child, as offensive banners targeted him during the match.
One banner referred to a 1995 military operation that ended Croatia's war of independence.
During and after the operation, more than 200,000 ethnic Serbs fled the country, including the Burian family.
"Kanin '95 - Nobody Runs Like Borian," read the banner, which used the flag of American tractor maker John Deere.
The sign is a reference to Knin, the stronghold of the Serb rebels, where Burian was born and which saw the flight of the Serbs, many of whom were left on tractors.
Croatia's penalty comes 48 hours before they face Brazil in the quarter-finals on Friday.
The Serbian Confederation was also the subject of a FIFA investigation, and received a fine of 20,000 Swiss francs over a controversial Kosovo flag that was hung in the team's dressing room during the group stage match against Brazil.
The photo, which was taken in the Serbian national team's dressing room before facing Brazil, shows a map of Kosovo printed on a piece of white cloth hung on stakes, and stamped with the Serbian flag reading "There will be no surrender."
Publication of the photo led to an official protest from Kosovo, with Sports Minister Hjrullah Çeku denouncing the "shameful photos" that convey "messages of hate, xenophobia and genocide".
In a third case before the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, six warnings cost the Saudi national team in its matches against Argentina and Mexico a fine of 15,000 Swiss francs for each match.
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