How little-known UEFA rule will let 100 England fans into behind-closed-doors Croatia Nations League clash

Despite England’s Nations League match against Croatia being played behind closed doors, 100 lucky Three Lions supporters will still be able to attend due to a little-known UEFA agreement.

Tuchel’s side face the 2018 World Cup runners-up at the Stadion HNK Rijeka in Rijeka, but there will be no home fans in attendance - or at least, sort of.

This is because UEFA banned Croatia from playing in front of fans for one game after racist and discriminatory behaviour from supporters during last year’s Nations League quarter-final against France.

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Why 100 England fans will be able to attend behind-closed-doors Croatia clash

Several supporters were accused of making Nazi salutes during the match and later taken into custody by French authorities, although they were later released without prosecution due to a lack of video evidence.

Croatia fans also set off fireworks in the away section of the Stade de France.

Despite home fans being prohibited from cheering on their side from the stands, 100 lucky England fans will have the privilege of supporting their side as the Three Lions look to build on Tuesday’s 2-0 win over Czechia in Prague.

Following talks between UEFA and the FA, a select few England supporters will be able to attend, with the official England Supporters Travel Club explaining in a statement: "We're pleased to confirm that, following discussions with UEFA, a small delegation of England Supporters Travel Club members will be permitted to attend England's UEFA Nations League fixture against Croatia on Saturday 3 October.

"The match will be played behind closed doors following a UEFA sanction against Croatia. However, we have been granted permission to allocate 100 complimentary tickets to active 2026-2028 England Supporters Travel Club members, giving a small number of our supporters the opportunity to attend the fixture."

Why thousands of children will be at Croatia vs England

And that’s not all, as the 8,279-capacity venue is still expected to be around 75 per cent full due to a small loophole in UEFA’s regulations.

According to Article 73 of UEFA’s disciplinary regulations, an exception can be made for “children up to the age of 14 from schools and/or academies invited to the match free of charge.”

Around 5,500-6,000 children are expected to attend alongside carers.

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Who else can attend?

Below is a list of those who are able to attend the behind-closed-doors match:

• a maximum of 200 people holding category 1 tickets from the visiting club or association and a maximum of 20 VIP guests for each club or association;
• a maximum of 55 people per team delegation, including the players;
• accredited broadcast staff and media (journalists and photographers);
• police officers and security staff with specific tasks related to security at the match;
• people carrying out functions related to the stadium infrastructure (groundskeepers, lighting, signage, etc.) and people carrying out functions related to the match (ball kids and children involved in the pre-match ceremony as well as their chaperones);
• a maximum of 75 UEFA representatives carrying out functions at the match;
• people from UEFA and UEFA partners holding complimentary tickets;
• children up to the age of 14 (duly accompanied) from schools and/or football academies invited to the match free of charge (also applicable in the event of a partial stadium closure).

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