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<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=629 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=3><DIV class=mxb><DIV class=sh>FA charged over Croatia incidents </DIV></DIV></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width=416><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=203 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><DIV>
<DIV class=cap>There was an ugly atmosphere at the qualifying game</DIV></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>The Football Association has been charged by Uefa with improper behaviour over incidents involving England fans at the Euro 2008 qualifier in Croatia.
The Croatian Federation also faces the same charge after police used batons on travelling fans in Zagreb, where England lost 2-0 on 11 October.
Uefa will deal with the matter at a meeting on 9 November.
But FA director of communications Adrian Bevington said it would "contest this as strongly as possible".
<DIV class=avinline>If found guilty the FA could face anything from a fine to being forced to play England matches behind closed doors, though Bevington is confident they have a strong case to present in their defence. </DIV>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=208 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width=5>
</TD><TD class=sibStdQuote><DIV><DIV class=mva><DIV id=q1></DIV>We've had a vast amount of communication and correspondence from England supporters who experienced some very difficult situations in the build-up to the game <DIV id=q2></DIV><BR clear=all></DIV></DIV><DIV class=mva><DIV class=mva>FA spokesman Adrian Bevington</DIV></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
"We will be requesting a personal hearing," added Bevington. "And we'd like to call on as many witnesses as we require.
"It's worth noting we've had a vast amount of communication and correspondence from England supporters who were in Zagreb on the evening and experienced some very difficult situations in the build-up to the game.
"All of this should be factored into the account that we provide when we actually do speak to Uefa on this subject."
Prior to the game, England fans without tickets were able to break through a security cordon at the Maksimir Stadium, sparking concern among security guards.
The closure of turnstiles for two five-minute periods then caused panic.
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=208 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width=5></TD><TD class=sibStdQuote><DIV><DIV class=mva><DIV id=q1></DIV>The charge is misconduct of the supporters - it is just a charge, levelled by the prosecution <DIV id=q2></DIV><BR clear=all></DIV></DIV><DIV class=mva><DIV class=mva>Uefa director of communications William Gaillard</DIV></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Supporters with tickets squeezed towards the gates and police reacted by brandishing batons.
Reports said some England fans suffered head injuries.
The FA was disappointed by the security cordon which allowed fans without tickets to get to the turnstiles, neutralising their efforts to police supporters who follow the team.
It made its concerns known to a Uefa delegate before and after the match, but Uefa is pressing ahead with the charge against both associations.
Uefa director of communications William Gaillard said: "In the case of the English FA the charge is misconduct of the supporters. It is just a charge, levelled by the prosecution.
"This (the FA's mitigation) will be part of the case, and of course the control and disciplinary body has the power to dismiss the case for one or both of the FAs, or to apply sanctions.
"On the side of the Croatian FA, (the charge) is
<DIV class=cap>There was an ugly atmosphere at the qualifying game</DIV></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>The Football Association has been charged by Uefa with improper behaviour over incidents involving England fans at the Euro 2008 qualifier in Croatia. The Croatian Federation also faces the same charge after police used batons on travelling fans in Zagreb, where England lost 2-0 on 11 October.
Uefa will deal with the matter at a meeting on 9 November.
But FA director of communications Adrian Bevington said it would "contest this as strongly as possible".
<DIV class=avinline>If found guilty the FA could face anything from a fine to being forced to play England matches behind closed doors, though Bevington is confident they have a strong case to present in their defence. </DIV>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=208 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width=5>
</TD><TD class=sibStdQuote><DIV><DIV class=mva><DIV id=q1></DIV>We've had a vast amount of communication and correspondence from England supporters who experienced some very difficult situations in the build-up to the game <DIV id=q2></DIV><BR clear=all></DIV></DIV><DIV class=mva><DIV class=mva>FA spokesman Adrian Bevington</DIV></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>"We will be requesting a personal hearing," added Bevington. "And we'd like to call on as many witnesses as we require.
"It's worth noting we've had a vast amount of communication and correspondence from England supporters who were in Zagreb on the evening and experienced some very difficult situations in the build-up to the game.
"All of this should be factored into the account that we provide when we actually do speak to Uefa on this subject."
Prior to the game, England fans without tickets were able to break through a security cordon at the Maksimir Stadium, sparking concern among security guards.
The closure of turnstiles for two five-minute periods then caused panic.
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=208 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width=5>
</TD><TD class=sibStdQuote><DIV><DIV class=mva><DIV id=q1></DIV>The charge is misconduct of the supporters - it is just a charge, levelled by the prosecution <DIV id=q2></DIV><BR clear=all></DIV></DIV><DIV class=mva><DIV class=mva>Uefa director of communications William Gaillard</DIV></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Supporters with tickets squeezed towards the gates and police reacted by brandishing batons. Reports said some England fans suffered head injuries.
The FA was disappointed by the security cordon which allowed fans without tickets to get to the turnstiles, neutralising their efforts to police supporters who follow the team.
It made its concerns known to a Uefa delegate before and after the match, but Uefa is pressing ahead with the charge against both associations.
Uefa director of communications William Gaillard said: "In the case of the English FA the charge is misconduct of the supporters. It is just a charge, levelled by the prosecution.
"This (the FA's mitigation) will be part of the case, and of course the control and disciplinary body has the power to dismiss the case for one or both of the FAs, or to apply sanctions.
"On the side of the Croatian FA, (the charge) is