FIFA has opened a disciplinary case against Croatia on Tuesday because of its fans’ taunts aimed at the Canada goalkeeper who has Serbian family ties during the teams’ World Cup game.
FIFA said the charge against the Croatian soccer federation was “due to the behaviour of its fans” and cited rules relating to discrimination and security at games.
Borjan’s family left their hometown in 1995 when it was taken by Croatian forces amid stories that ethnic Serbs fled on tractors.
During Canada’s 4-1 loss on Sunday, one banner displayed by Croatian fans used a flag of tractor manufacturer John Deere and changed the marketing slogan to target Borjan.

The 35-year-old has won 71 caps for Canada. FIFA gave no timetable for a verdict in the case which would typically be judged with a fine for the federation. In the first disciplinary verdict of the World Cup on Tuesday, FIFA imposed a 10,000 Swiss francs (C$14,000) fine on the German soccer federation for not bringing players to the news conference that is mandatory one day before a game.
During the match, Croatian fans raised a flag bearing the words "Knin 95, nothing goes like Bourienne" and hostile chants were directed at the Canadian goalkeeper. "I have nothing to say about that," Burien said after the match. He added, "I heard that they shouted and insulted me, this shows their ignorance, and they have to work on themselves and their families, because it is clear that they have some frustration, so they come here to vent about that."