Croatian coach Ante Cacic blasted the violent fans describing them as 'sports terrorists' following tonight's game

British referee Mark Clattenburg was forced to stop the game for five minutes until the violence subsided

Fans from the Balkan country fought among themselves as the match approached its final few minutes


Croatian fans threw a pyrotechnic flare at a steward which exploded underneath him amid sickening scenes during this evening's Euro 2016 game against the Czech Republic.

Stewards tried to cope with the violent mob of Croatian fans who started fighting amongst themselves with their team leading 2-1 with minutes to go.

The team's coach Ante Cacic was furious following the violent scenes which seen the match suspended for five minutes while stewards removed the burning flares from the pitch.

Cacic described the violent fans as 'sports terrorists', before admitting Croatian authorities could not battle the hooligans by themselves.

Stewards were woefully under equipped to deal with the flaming missiles which were thrown on the field. They attempted to cope with the projectiles using welding gloves, shovels and buckets in an effort to allow the game to resume.

One steward was forced to run for safety when Croatian fans started throwing flares onto the field towards the end of the game

A steward who appeared to have been hit by one of the flares gestures towards his eye during the latest shameful scenes

The steward runs for cover as fans begin to pepper the field with the pyrotechnics with five minutes to play

Stewards struggled to keep control after Croatian fans started fighting amongst themselves with minutes to go during tonight's game

Speaking after the game, Cacic said: 'These people are really scary, that is why I call them hooligans. These are not really Croatian supporters. These are sports terrorists. The main thing our country doesn't want to mess with this kind of hooligans.

'This is maybe just a question about six to 10 individuals. I hope they can be identified and punished. I hope the Croatia FA is doing everything to prevent this but it is impossible to avoid.

'Ninety-five percent of our supporters are ashamed in front of Europe, the players are very sad that after playing a beautiful match this happens.'

Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic fears they will be thrown out of Euro 2016 after crowd trouble.

'We have to see if we will play against Spain, maybe they will send us home after this,' he told HTV.

'There are a lot more fans that love the national team and they will not be able to see Croatia play.

'It is hard to say, but we feel more comfortable playing away... we were lucky that the match went on, the referee wanted to end it immediately.'

UEFA said disciplinary proceedings would be opened on Saturday once they had received official reports from the match delegate and referee Mark Clattenburg.

Cacic blamed the Croatian government for being too lenient with soccer-related offenders and not doing enough to crush hooliganism, which has been rife in the former Yugoslav republic over the last decade.

He said: 'What hurts me is that the (Croatian) authorities will not deal with the problem.

'The government has not done enough to eradicate them while the Croatian Football Association just doesn't have the repressive tools to do it on its own.

'This is just a handful of thugs, maybe a dozen, but many Croatian patriots, including the players who wear the shirt with so much pride and passion, are now ashamed in front of the whole of Europe.'

UEFA has launched an investigation into the incident which is the second time this tournament Croatian fans have thrown flares

Stewards were forced to remove the pyrotechnic devices from the field before the match was able to resume

The hooligans were branded as 'sports terrorists' by the Croatian coach Ante Cacic who condemned the violent incidents

Following the latest violent scenes, Croatian football authorities are likely to face a UEFA investigation, while further questions about fan security will be raised by the ability of hooligans to smuggle at least a dozen pyrotechnic devices into the stadium.

Croatia was already under investigation by UEFA after fireworks where used during the country's opening game against Turkey.

Now football officials will look at the violent scenes inside the stadium in Saint-Etienne.

UEFA said later it will begin a disciplinary procedure after the incidents.

Football federations are responsible for fans' behavior inside the stadium and Croatia's supporters have one of the worst records in Europe.

Croatia was deducted one point in its Euro 2016 qualifying group after fans painted a swastika symbol on the field before a match against Italy in Split.

Croatia goalscorer Ivan Perisic kicks a flare as he and his team-mates go over to fans to calm them down

Croatian fans began throwing flares despite leading the Czech Republic 2-1 during the crunch group game

Croatian fans threw more than a dozen flares onto the field in Saint-Etienne during the dying moments of tonight's Euro 2016 game

Players from the Balkan side helped remove the flares whilst supporters fought in the stands just metres away from them.

A large gap opened up where the fans were seated as supporters kicked and punched each other whilst the play was temporarily suspended.

Croatia forward Ivan Perisic, who was one of the players who tried to reason with the fans, said after the match: 'Maybe it's best that we don't play at all than that these things keep happening.'

Croatia manager Ante Cacic added: 'I call it terror. I call them hooligans. They are not supporters. Their place is not in the stadium.'

Given the warning Russia received for fighting that marred the first week of the tournament, Croatia are likely to at least receive the same treatment - and it's not the first time their fans have caused problems.

In March last year Croatia were forced to play behind closed doors after racist chanting during a clash with Norway which came just a few months after fighting during a match with Italy the previous November.

And a swastika was marked on the pitch at the Poljud Stadium when the Italians travelled to Croatia for the Euro 2016 qualifiers in June last year despite the match being played behind closed doors.

It is thought political corruption in the country may have caused the fans' protests during the match with supporters looking to shame their national team on the big stage.

A gap opened up between the fans as some tried to flee whilst others attacked each other during the game

A French Police officer aimed a CS gas launcher at the Croatian fans who were fighting in the stands during this evening's game

Riot police stood at the edge of the stand while the violent scenes continued between rival groups of Croatian fans

UEFA has launched an investigation into tonight's violent scenes which have again shamed the wider football family

One topless Croatian fan appeared to be goading riot police who did not attempt to make any arrests during the game

A UEFA spokesman said an official inquiry would be launched on Saturday. Croatia already face punishment over a firework thrown on the pitch and a fan who got on to celebrate during the country's first Group D game against Turkey.

In November 2014, Croatia's qualifying match in Italy was halted for 10 minutes because flares were thrown on the pitch leaving the Milan San Siro stadium engulfed in smoke. UEFA then ordered Croatia to close an 8,000 section of their ground for their next game and fined the federation£75,000 Croatia's star player Luka Modric, at the time called the fans' behaviour 'madness'.

It was second major episode of stadium turmoil at Euro 2016 after Russian fans attacked English counterparts after their game in Marseille last Saturday.

UEFA threatened to disqualify Russia if their fans cause more disturbances in a stadium. Their fans, who also clashed with England fans in Marseille city centre, were found guilty of crowd disturbances, racist chants and throwing firecrackers.

A court in Marseille on Thursday jailed three Russian fans for up to two years for their role in the street violence.

Twenty other fans are to be expelled on Saturday on a flight from Nice to Moscow.

Stewards without any protection attempted to restore calm in the stands while riot police remained on the edge of the pitch

Croatian manager Ante Cacic blamed his nation's government for not doing enough to eradicate hooliganism from the sport

Thirty-five people were injured, two England fans seriously, in the street battles. French prosecutors say they will launch an attempted murder inquiry.

The fan troubles have even caused a diplomatic incident between Russia and tournament hosts France.

The French ambassador was called in for a protest by Russia's foreign ministry, while President Vladimir Putin waded into the debate on Friday saying: 'I truly don't understand how 200 of our fans could beat up several thousand English.'

A French court on Friday ordered three Nice fans accused of attacking Northern Ireland supporters to be held in jail while they await trial in case they cause more trouble during Euro 2016.

A fourth Nice 'ultra' was released on bail ahead of the July 13 trial while prosecutors have not yet charged a fifth suspect who suffered a serious head injury in the street battle on June 11.

The brawl erupted outside an Irish pub in Nice where several hundred Northern Ireland fans had gathered ahead of their match against Poland the next day. Nine people were injured in the intense three minute battle in which bottles, glasses and other objects were thrown.

Three suspected Spanish hooligans were arrested ahead of their 3-0 victory over Turkey this evening.

The trio were arrested carrying neo-Nazi banners, while three other fans were held trying to smuggle flares into the ground.

UEFA has announced it will investigate the disgraceful scenes in Saint-Etienne, pictured, earlier this evening