Former West Ham / Everton defender and current Croatia head coach Slaven Bilic has turned the heat up ahead of Wednesday’s World Cup Qualifier at Wembley Stadium after being quoted saying that England is lacking “Englishness”.
The President of the Croatian Football Federation, Vlatko Markovic has seen some very interesting quotes hit the front pages of the English Press after somewhat suggesting his Internationals have been targeted while playing in the Premiership.
Incredible news coming out of England as Tottenham Midfielder and Croatian International Luka Modric has suffered a fracture in his right fibula during Saturday’s 1 - 0 win over Birmingham and will be sidelined for at least 6 weeks, missing the September 9th World Cup Qualifier against England.
How would you react if you took a tripod in the back?
Check this new sports arena located in Zagreb, Crotia. I like this new wave of stadium designs and how creative they have become. Stadiums have always had their own personalities that people can relate to, and the personalities of the new stadiums being built is in step with that of the modern world.
I’m not really sure what types of events will be taking place inside an indoor arena in Zagreb. From one of the pictures, it looks like they could play some indoor soccer. Maybe some handball or volleyball? I can’t really call it…but either way, very cool looking stadium.
Architects - UPI-2M
More images after the jump
“There are many ways to score on the soccer field - long kick, corner kick, header, bicycle kick, and so on. However, Croatian player Dino Drpic has achieved a scoring feat that can’t be beat - by “doing the deed” at midfield with his Playboy model wife.”
Croatia International and current Red Bull Salzburg midfielder Niko Kovac has called time on his International Career following his lack of playing time and desire to not become a selection nuisance to head coach Slaven Bilic.
The Croatian Football Federation has been fined a second time for Racial Crowd Abuse, just months after FIFA disciplined and fined them over fans action during the 2008 Euro Quarterfinal match with Turkey for the same.
With Emile Heskey being subjected to Monkey Chants after being booked during Englands 4 - 1 romp at the Maksimir Stadium in Zagreb, FIFA slapped a whopping 14,920k Pound fine on the CFF.
While FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee has warned Croatia that another issue will lead to “more severe actions”, you have to wonder when is enough enough. Wouldn’t a more suitable action be to force Croatia to play Qualifiers in an empty stadium or at a neutral ground rather than a small slap on the wrist for a second offense just months after their first?
A FIFA statement read: “The FIFA disciplinary committee has fined the Croatia Football Federation CHF 30,000 (£14,920) for the racist behavior of some of their supporters at the 10 September 2008 Croatia v England preliminary competition match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
“The Croatian Football Federation was found guilty of a violation of article 58, paragraph 2 of the FIFA disciplinary code, and received a warning regarding its future conduct according to article 13.
“Further infringements of article 58 would lead to more severe sanctions by the FIFA disciplinary committee.”
image via TheSun
