FIFA discipline three countries after investigations into World Cup rule breaks

FIFA have fined three countries playing at the World Cup after conducting investigations into breaches of discipline during the tournament.

The fines for Croatia, Serbia and Saudi Arabia add up to a total of 100,000 Swiss Francs (CHF, around £87,200) with the decisions explained in a statement on Wednesday.

Quarter-finalists Croatia were fined the highest amount, CHF 50,000, after their fans verbally insulted Canada goalkeeper Milan Borjan and unfurled a banner aimed at him during their group stage meeting on November 27.

Borjan, 35, was born in an ethnic Serbian region of Croatia, which his family fled in 1995 after it was taken over by Croatian forces. It is claimed locally that the ethnic Serbs fled on tractors, with Croatia fans unfurling a banner featuring a John Deere tractor and changing the advertising slogan to mock Borjan.

FIFA's statement said: "The Croatian Football Federation has been fined CHF 50,000 for breaches related to article 16 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (use of words and objects to transmit a message that is not appropriate for a sports event) in relation to the behaviour of Croatian supporters during the Croatia v. Canada FIFA World Cup match on 27 November."

The Serbian FA have been given a fine of 20,000 Swiss Francs for a flag that was hung in their dressing room prior to facing Brazil on November 24.

The flag showed Kosovo as part of Serbia along with the message "we do not surrender", with an image of it going viral on social media when it was shared by Hajrulla Ceku, Kosovo's Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport.

FIFA said: "The Football Association of Serbia has been fined CHF 20,000 for breaches related to article 11 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code and article 4 of the Regulations for the FIFA World Cup 2022 in relation to a flag displayed in its dressing room on the occasion of the Brazil v. Serbia FIFA World Cup match on 24 November."

Saudi Arabia are the third country to be fined following the conduct of their players in two of their group stage matches.

The Saudis shocked the world when they beat Argentina 2-1 in their opening game at the Lusail Stadium on November 22, but following a defeat to Poland they then exited the tournament when they lost 2-1 to Mexico on November 30.

Herve Renard's side picked up six bookings in both of the Argentina and Mexico games, with FIFA fining them CHF 15,000 for each one.

Their statement read: "The Saudi Arabian Football Association has received two fines of CHF 15,000 for the misconduct of its team (a total of six bookings received by Saudi players) during the FIFA World Cup matches against Argentina and Mexico on 22 November and 30 November, respectively."

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