Zagreb (Croatia): Croatian football officials on Saturday apologised for a swastika visible on the pitch during their 1-1 draw with Italy in a Euro 2016 qualifier, dubbing the incident an “obvious act of sabotage” that was reported to the police. UEFA had ordered Friday’s match to be played behind closed doors, in a virtually empty stadium, as punishment for fan violence and racist incidents when Croatia played Norway earlier in the qualifying campaign.

A swastika symbol is seen on the pitch during the Euro 2016 qualifying match between Croatia and Italy at the Poljud Stadium. Pic/AFP