Sports

Police arrest 16 Croatia fans for interrupting Euro 2016 qualifier in Italy with fireworks

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Flares are launched by Croatia supporters during the Euro 2016 qualifying soccer match between Italy and Croatia, at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2014. The match was temporarily suspended following the launch of flares and clashes with Italian riot police on the stands. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno) (The Associated Press)

Flares are launched by Croatia supporters during the Euro 2016 qualifying soccer match between Italy and Croatia, at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2014. The match was temporarily suspended following the launch of flares and clashes with Italian riot police on the stands. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno) (The Associated Press)

Police have arrested 16 Croatia fans for interrupting a European Championship qualifier against Italy by throwing fireworks onto the field.

Sunday's match at the San Siro was suspended twice and the referee ordered the players off the field during the second half.

Play was halted in the first half for a few minutes and then late in the match it was stopped for 10 minutes, when there also appeared to be a small fire in the stands. Riot police waded into the stands and eventually the final 17 minutes were played.

The match finished 1-1.

Croatia coach Niko Kovac, who pleaded with fans to calm down, says, "this is not football. This is not a fair image of our country or our people."