Croatia face sanctions from UEFA after crowd trouble in Saint-Etienne

UEFA will open proceedings against Croatia on Saturday after crowd trouble marred the end of their Euro 2016 clash with the Czech Republic.

Play had to be stopped in the closing stages of the 2-2 draw at the Stade Geoffroy Guichard in Saint-Etienne after flares were thrown on to the pitch from the Croatia end.

Croatia boss slams fan trouble

Ante Cacic hits out at the fans who caused the match to be stopped

Referee Mark Clattenburg had little option but to halt the Group D match with four minutes remaining after a series of flares landed in the corner of the pitch.

A steward clearing the pitch appeared to be hit by one of the flares during a fairly lengthy stoppage, which occurred when Croatia were 2-1 up, although it has since been confirmed he did not need any hospital treatment.

Croatia players pleaded with fans to stop throwing missiles. Fighting had also broken out and caused an area of the stand to be vacated. 

A UEFA statement read: "Disciplinary proceedings will be opened tomorrow once UEFA has received the official reports of the match delegate and referee.

"UEFA strongly condemns such acts."

The Czech Republic went on to equalise from the penalty spot in the 93rd minute after Clattenburg spotted a handball in the box.

Croatia have already been in trouble for their fans' behaviour during Euro 2016, being charged for a pitch invasion and letting off fireworks in their 1-0 win over Turkey on Sunday at the Parc des Princes in Paris.

Russia were handed a suspended disqualification from the tournament and fined £118,000 for charges relating to crowd disturbances, use of fireworks and racist behaviour during the 1-1 draw with England in Marseille.

Former Croatia manager Slaven Bilic, now in charge of West Ham and working as a pundit for ITV, was critical of the fans' behaviour.

"It's unbelievable what those people are doing. The majority of the fans are telling them to not do it. Some of them are there on a mission. It's probably not the last time they'll do it," he said.

"Back home it's not the greatest league, but it's competitive. When there's a big derby between (Dinamo) Zagreb and (Hajduk) Split people are not taking their kids because they know it'll be dangerous."

Turkey could also face a second charge after flares were lit by fans following their 3-0 Euro 2016 loss to Spain in Nice.