FIFA opened a disciplinary case against Croatia on Tuesday because of its fans' taunts aimed at Canadian goalkeeper Milan Borjan, who has Serbian family ties, during the teams' World Cup game.
FIFA said the case against the Croatian soccer federation was "due to the behaviour of its fans" and cited rules relating to discrimination and security at games.
Borjan was born in an ethnic Serb region of Croatia that was part of the conflict that split the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s.
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 Sunday, one banner displayed by Croatia fans used a flag of tractor manufacturer John Deere and changed the marketing slogan to target Borjan. The abuse was especially loud in the second half when Borjan's goal was right in front of the Croatia fans.
Borjan was 13 when his family moved to Canada — initially Winnipeg and then Hamilton a year later. He plays his club football for storied Serbian club Red Star Belgrade.
