FIFA takes strict action against three countries for this sensitive reason

FIFA fined the Croatians 50,000 Swiss francs ($53,000) after the team’s fans verbally abused and taunted Canada goalkeeper Milan Borjan, who has Serbian family ties. The Serbian soccer federation was fined 20,000 Swiss francs ($21,300) for a political banner about neighbouring Kosovo displayed in the locker room before playing Brazil in the team’s opening game.

Borjan, 35, was born in an ethnic Serbian region of Croatia, which his family fled in 1995 after it was taken over by Croatian forces. It is claimed locally that the ethnic Serbs fled on tractors, with Croatia fans unfurling a banner featuring a John Deere tractor and changing the advertising slogan to mock Borjan.It showed a map of Serbia that included the territory of its former province, which has been an independent state for nearly 15 years, and the slogan “No Surrender.” The Kosovo soccer federation formally complained to FIFA about the banner, which was hung over two Serbia players’ lockers on Nov. 24

FIFA’s statement said: “The Croatian Football Federation has been fined CHF 50,000 for breaches related to article 16 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (use of words and objects to transmit a message that is not appropriate for a sports event) in relation to the behaviour of Croatian supporters during the Croatia v. Canada FIFA World Cup match on 27 November.” FIFA also fined Saudi Arabia 30,000 Swiss francs ($32,000) for “team misconduct” after getting six yellow cards in games against Argentina and Mexico.