PARIS (AP) — The seven fans who were taken into custody on suspicion of making Nazi salutes during the France-Croatia soccer match in Paris have been released and won’t be prosecuted due to a lack of evidence, a judicial official told The Associated Press.
Paris police prefect Laurent Nunez said on Monday, a day after the Nations League game at Stade de France, that seven individuals who allegedly made the gestures were arrested, adding that they had “no business in a sports arena.”
But prosecutors later said the police custody was lifted and the proceedings dismissed because of insufficient evidence of an offense.
“The videos do not appear to be conclusive and show more gestures of supporters than Nazi salutes,” Anne-Laure Mestrallet, the general secretary of Bobigny prosecutor’s office, told the AP.
During the match, firecrackers went off in the enclosure where the Croatia fans were gathered and some flares were also lit.
Last year, Croatia was among seven national soccer federations ordered by UEFA to pay fines for racist and discriminatory abuse by fans at European Championship games. It was handed the biggest fine of 50,000 euros ($54,000) for incidents at each of its three matches.
On Sunday, France beat Croatia by a penalty shootout 5-4, after the tie finished 2-2 on aggregate, and advanced to the Nations League semifinals.
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The Associated Press
