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FIFA warns English FA over ‘political chants’ by fans during Croatia World Cup semi-final
FIFA has warned the English Football Association over “political chants” made by fans during the country’s World Cup semi-final defeat to Croatia in Moscow on Wednesday.
FIFA announced the day after the game that it was investigating “possible discriminatory chants” and said on Saturday that it had issued the FA with a warning.
"The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has warned the Football Association with respect to the misconduct of a group of English fans who performed political chants during the 2018 FIFA World Cup semi-final match between Croatia and England...” a FIFA statement read.
"The decision was taken after having analysed the respective evidence available and considered all factors surrounding the infringement, including the fact that the incident was triggered by a very small group of fans," it added.
Fans had reportedly chanted "no surrender" at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium, as well as other potentially discriminatory songs.
The original "no surrender" chant refers to the IRA and the tensions between Unionists and Republicans over Northern Ireland's place as part of the UK.
Some England fans were also filmed chanting the controversial “10 German bombers” song in Red Square ahead of Wednesday’s game against Croatia.