Zurich, Sep 19 (IANS): European football's governing body UEFA has upheld a one-point deduction imposed on the Croatian Football Federation (HNS) and ordered the country's national team to play their next two home matches behind closed doors.
The sanction was imposed by the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) on July 23 after racist behaviour by Croatian fans during the Euro 2016 Group H qualifier between Croatia and Italy in Split on June 12.
The HNS had lodged an appeal which was rejected on Friday by the UEFA's appeals body which also imposed a fine of 100,000 euros on the Croatian body, the UEFA announced on its website.
The Croatian team will also not be allowed to play any of their remaining qualifiers at the Stadion Poljud in Split.
The point deduction means that Croatia are now two points adrift of Norway in Group H.