[attach id=219369 size="large"]Michel Platini[/attach]

UEFA president Michel Platini urged Croatia yesterday to crack down on hooligans and warned that if the issue is not resolved it could have “fatal consequences” for national football.

“The Croatian authorities have to understand the importance of the problem of violence and hooliganism,” Platini said in an interview with the influential Jutarnji List daily.

“However, unfortunately, we are still awaiting for an adequate reaction. My advice is not to wait for too long since the consequences could be fatal for Croatian football,” the former France captain was quoted as saying.

Platini was in Zagreb yesterday to attend ceremonies marking the 100th anniversary of the Croatian Football Federation (HNS).

Platini said he believed the HNS’s new leadership, elected earlier this year and headed by former star player Davor Suker, would “eventually resolve the problem of violence”.

“To do that, brave people and brave decisions are needed but also strong political support,” he emphasised.

Platini has previously warned Croatia, as well as neighbouring Serbia, that if they do not root out violence among football supporters they risk being excluded from international competitions.

UEFA has fined the HNS on several occasions for violence and racist behaviour of Croatian hardcore football fans who often clash with the police.

At this year’s Euro Champion-ship, UEFA fined the HNS €80,000 after its supporters racially abused Italy’s Mario Balotelli in a group match in Poznan.