Croatian Football Federation Vice President Damir Vrbanovič was outraged by the punishment imposed by UEFA.
Following a scandal last month, when during a European Championship qualifying match against Norway local fans chanted racist slogans and threw fire torches onto the field, the Croatians will have to play one game behind closed doors and pay a fine of 50,000 euros.
The upcoming match in June is especially important as the Italian national team will arrive in the Balkan country.
"We were shocked by the draconian fine imposed for five flares and two racist chants. Especially considering that the UEFA representative rated the organization of the match as excellent. The match against the Italians was supposed to be special in every way. Our federation will lose millions of euros, so we will undoubtedly appeal this decision," Vrbanovič said.
"We have sent legend Davor Šuker to the UEFA committee and hope that he will make the right impression."
