Euro 2024 fans warned over ‘endangering players’ amid corner incidents during Croatia vs Italy
Euro 2024 fans have been sent a warning after Croatia supporters were spotted throwing plastic cups at Italy players during the crunch group stage clash between the two sides.
Italy went into the clash knowing that a point would be enough to send them through to the last 16 automatically, while a win for Croatia may only result in them finishing third and needing to rely on Spain not losing to Albania in the other fixture.
But there was a moment of controversy off the pitch early on in the fixture, when Italy won a corner.
Lorenzo Pellegrini and Federico Dimarco walked up to take the corner, but BBC cameras spotted that several plastic cups had been thrown around the vicinity of the two players.
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In a later incident, Dimarco was seen kicking another cup off the pitch as he prepared to take a corner from the opposite side of the pitch.
Speaking on commentary for BBC Sport, lead commentator Jonathan Pearce claimed that German officials at the tournament have discussed the possibility of taking action if the throwing continues - although UEFA are yet to make an official comment themselves.
Last week, Serbia fans threw a number of plastic cups onto the pitch during their 1-1 draw with Slovenia, with the stadium announcer forced to intervene by telling supporters to stop.
Slovenian players were seen picking up the objects from the penalty area, with officials having to briefly stop play while the area was cleared.
England take on Slovenia in their final Group C game on Tuesday evening, while Serbia take on Denmark.
The Three Lions have not yet mathematically secured their automatic progression to the last 16 stage, with a point definitely enough to ensure they finish in the top two places.
Slovenia, meanwhile, may go through with a point if Serbia fail to beat to Denmark, but would potentially need other results in other groups to go their way to qualify as one of the best third-placed teams.
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Ryan Smart