CROATIA: SOCCER / FOOTBALL - England and Croatia fans gather in Zagreb ahead of their teams Euro 2008 qualifying match

There were no signs of trouble between England and Croatia fans on Wednesday (October 11) as large groups of England fans gathered in central Zagreb and mingled with the home supporters in bars. Riot police have been deployed in numbers to prevent any crowd trouble ahead of kickoff at 1700 GMT. Croatian police detained 21 fans on Tuesday (October 10) after overnight skirmishes in city centre, reported no incidents since. "I only arrived this morning and so far everyone has been really friendly. Its been really good so far," said England supporter Phill from London. As police concentrated on preventing clashes between England and Croatia supporters, fighting broke out between Croatia supporters gathered at Zagreb's main square after Dinamo Zagreb fans surrounded a group of Hadjuk Split supporters who arrived in the capital for the match. The two groups are known bitter rivals and often clash. Police have worked double shifts from Tuesday and have been ordered to detain any troublemakers. Fans will be thoroughly searched before entering the stadium to prevent Croatia supporters bringing in the kind of flares and fireworks that were set off during Saturdays 7-0 win over Andorra. UEFA spokesman William Gaillard on Tuesday warned Croatia could be expelled from Euro 2008 if their fans repeated racist behaviour such as forming a swastika with their bodies during the friendly with Italy in August.

ITN Source | October 12, 2006

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