England will play their Nations League match in Croatia behind closed doors after UEFA imposed a two-game sanction on the Croatian Football Federation for crowd trouble. The punishment, which includes a ban on selling tickets to Croatia fans for their first away game and a complete ban for their first home game, means no spectators will be allowed at the match on Saturday, October 3.
UEFA's action follows incidents during Croatia's Nations League quarter-final with France last year, which involved objects being thrown, pyrotechnics and offensive chants. Croatia had also been punished for issues at Euro 2024.
This is not the first time England fans have been affected by such sanctions. In October 2018, Croatia played a home match in Rijeka behind closed doors due to UEFA penalties, and hundreds of England supporters watched from a hill overlooking the stadium.
Lifelong England fan Garford Beck expressed frustration, saying: "It's grossly unfair on England fans because we are the innocent party in this. I was one of those who stood on the hill and it's tough on those of us who haven't missed an England game for years."
The Croatian FA confirmed the first home match, against England, will be behind closed doors, while Croatia fans cannot attend their first away match in the Czech Republic. England also previously played a game in Hungary behind closed doors, which was filled with thousands of schoolchildren.
