Croatia have hired former defender Josip Simunic, who was banned for 10 games for leading fans in a pro-Nazi chant, to assist new national team coach Ante Cacic.
Simunic missed the 2014 World Cup over the incident in the qualifying playoff against Iceland in 2013. The suspension came after Simunic shouted to supporters: “For the homeland!” The fans responded: “Ready!” The chant was used by the Croatian pro-Nazi regime that ruled the state during the second world war.
It highlighted Croatian football’s ongoing struggle with discrimination. Croatia have been deducted one point in their Euro 2016 qualifying group after a swastika was seen on the field before June’s match against Italy.
Simunic is on the coaching staff of Cacic, who has been given a contract through to the 2018 World Cup. He won the domestic double with Dinamo Zagreb in 2012.
Croatian federation president Davor Suker says “we rely on Croatian brains.”
Simunic, who was born in Australia, has since defended his actions. “Some people have to learn some history,” he said in November 2013. “I’m not afraid. I did nothing wrong. I’m supporting my Croatia, my homeland. If someone has something against it, that’s their problem.”