England’s upcoming UEFA Nations League match against Croatia will be held in Rijeka under unusual circumstances due to a crowd ban imposed on Croatia as punishment for fan misconduct during their quarter-final game against France in Paris last year. UEFA ruled that the match would be played behind closed doors, citing incidents of racist behavior, fireworks, stadium damage, and inappropriate conduct by Croatian fans. Despite the ban, the Croatian federation is set to host the game with thousands of local children in attendance, alongside a limited number of England supporters.
The punishment follows an investigation into incidents before and during Croatia’s match in Paris, where seven fans were arrested for reportedly performing Nazi salutes during a march en route to the Stade de France. The arrests were later dropped, but UEFA found evidence of batons, sharp wooden sticks, and smoke bombs brought into the stadium. UEFA fined the Croatian federation a total of €71,000 (approximately £60,000) for racist behavior, use of fireworks, property damage, and improper conduct by the team itself.
Although the match is officially classified as behind closed doors, UEFA regulations provide an exception allowing children under the age of 14, accompanied by teachers or adults, to attend free of charge. Taking advantage of this rule, the Croatian federation plans to bring between 5,000 and 6,000 children from local schools and football academies to the game at the 8,279-capacity HNK Rijeka Stadium. Adults will oversee the children, maintaining a ratio of about one adult per 15 children. This move effectively fills about three-quarters of the stadium, creating an unusual atmosphere for a game under a spectator ban.
In addition to the children, the Football Association (FA) has secured 100 tickets for England supporters. These tickets were allocated based on long-term attendance records, with recipients requiring a high number of prior match attendances—effectively rewarding the most experienced England fans. This small group represents the visiting contingent allowed sidelines presence despite the broader crowd exclusion.
Players have acknowledged the challenges posed by the unique environment. Croatia striker Dion Drena Beljo expressed regret over the absence of the usual passionate crowd but emphasized the team’s determination to perform. Meanwhile, England will be without left back Nico O’Reilly, who is sidelined with an injury and has returned to Manchester City for further evaluation. England will conclude this international window by hosting the Czech Republic at Wembley.
UEFA is expected to maintain strict oversight during the match, with delegates monitoring crowd behavior to ensure compliance with the disciplinary terms. The arrangement highlights the balance between enforcing sanctions for misconduct and providing young fans with access to live football, reflecting UEFA’s regulatory framework and the complexities involved in managing disciplinary actions in international competitions.