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Paris police prefect revealed that seven fans were arrested for the display of the unsavoury gesture during France’s Nations League win over Croatia.
Croatia’s fans light flares during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal second leg soccer match between France and Croatia, at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, outside Paris, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
Seven fans who made Nazi salutes during a Nations League match between France and Croatia have been taken into custody, the Paris police prefect said on Monday.
Laurent Nunez said security measures put in place for Sunday’s game at the Stade de France led to the arrest of the seven individuals who made the gestures. The police prefecture did not say which team the fans supported.
“Sport is and must remain a celebration,” Nunez said in a statement on social media. “These individuals have no business in a sports arena.”
During the match, firecrackers went off in the enclosure where the Croatia fans were gathered and some flares were also lit.
Last year, Croatia was among seven national soccer federations ordered by UEFA to pay fines for racist and discriminatory abuse by fans at European Championship games. It was handed the biggest fine of 50,000 euros ($54,000) for incidents at each of its three matches.
France won a penalty shootout 5-4 on Sunday, after the tie had finished 2-2 on aggregate, to advance past Croatia and reach the Nations League semifinals.
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – Associated Press)