'나치 구호' 크로아티아 시무니치, 월드컵 출전금지

By KH디지털2

Published : Dec. 17, 2013 - 11:14

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'나치 구호'로 물의를 빚은 크로아티아 국가대표 축구팀 수비수 요십 시무니치(35)가 국제축구연맹(FIFA)으로부터 출전금지 징계를 받았다.

이에 따라 시무니치의 2014년 브라질 월드컵 출전은 사실상 불가능할 것으로 보인다.

FIFA는 16일(현지시간) 시무니치에게 3만 스위스프랑(3천560만 원)의 벌금과 함께 공식경기 10회 출전금지 징계를 내렸다고 밝혔다.

출전금지는 이번 월드컵 개막 경기부터 적용되며, 시무니치는 이 기간에 크로아티아 경기가 열리는 경기장에 입장조차 하지 못한다.

이에 앞서 크로아티아 검찰은 시무니치에게 2만5천 쿠나(475만 원)의 벌금을 부과했다.

시무니치가 이처럼 징계와 형사처벌을 받는 것은 제2차 세계대전 당시 크로아티아의 나치 괴뢰 정권이 사용하던 구호를 외쳤기 때문이다.

그는 지난달 20일 크로아티아 자그레브에서 열린 아이슬란드와의 유럽 예선 플레이오프 2차전에서 이겨 본선 진출이 확정되자 마이크를 잡고 "조국을 위해"라는 구호를 선창하고 관중이 "준비됐다"는 응답을 되풀이하도록 했다.

크로아티아는 이번 월드컵 본선에서 브라질, 멕시코, 카메룬과 함께 A조에 편성됐다. (연합뉴스)

<관련영문기사>

Simunic banned for 10 games for pro-Nazi chant

FIFA has banned Croatia defender Josip Simunic for 10 games _ including the entire World Cup _ for leading fans in a pro-Nazi chant after the team qualified for the tournament in Brazil.

Simunic invoked a World War II-era slogan used by Croatia's then-puppet regime following a 2-0 playoff victory against Iceland last month.

``After taking into account all of the circumstances of the case, and particularly given the gravity of the incident, the committee decided to suspend the player for 10 official matches,'' FIFA said in a statement.

The incident is the latest to discredit football in Croatia, after UEFA President Michel Platini described its fans as the worst behaved at the 2012 European Championship.

The sanction also reflected FIFA's commitment this year to tougher sanctions for racism and discrimination at matches.

Croatia coach Niko Kovac, a teammate of Simunic at the 2006 World Cup, said the ban probably ended the 35-year-old defender's national team career.

``I'm unpleasantly surprised, shocked and disappointed by FIFA's ban of Simunic,'' Kovac said. ``I'm primarily sad for Simunic who will miss the World Cup. I know him for long as a player and a person and I'm sure he did not want to offend anyone.''

Kovac said the Croatian football federation would appeal to FIFA. If that fails, a challenge at the Court of Arbitration for Sport could follow.

Croatia hosted Iceland in Zagreb on Nov. 19 for a decisive qualifying match after a 0-0 draw in the first leg.

After the match, Simunic took a microphone on the pitch and shouted to supporters: ``For the homeland!'' The fans responded: ``Ready!''

FIFA said Monday that the salute was ``discriminatory and offended the dignity of a group of persons concerning ... race, religion or origin.''

Simunic will miss the whole World Cup tournament in Brazil and is also barred from the stadiums where Croatia will play its next 10 games.

Simunic said he felt ``bitter and shocked,'' according to Damir Vrbanovic, managing director of Croatia's football federation

``It is clear that FIFA wanted to send a strong message with this draconian punishment,'' Vrbanovic said.

FIFA also fined Simunic 30,000 Swiss francs ($33,800) and ordered the Croatia football federation to pay a fine of 70,000 Swiss francs ($78,700).

Simunic previously defended his action, saying he was driven by love for his country.

The Australia-born player famously was sent off at the 2006 World Cup against Australia after receiving three yellow cards.

In a separate FIFA disciplinary verdict Monday, Croatia star forward Mario Mandzukic was banned for just one World Cup match for a red-card challenge against Iceland.

Mandzukic will miss the tournament's opening match when Croatia plays host Brazil in Sao Paulo on June 12.

``We knew that Mandzukic will be punished and in that context we are happy it's a one-match suspension,'' Kovac said.

The FIFA panel imposed the minimum sanction on Mandzukic for serious foul play.

The Bayern Munich forward, who scored the opening goal minutes earlier, was sent off for stamping on Iceland midfielder Johann Gudmundsson's left knee. (AP)

'나치 구호' 크로아티아 시무니치, 월드컵 출전금지

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