CAS rejects Šimunić appeal

FIFA has sanctioned Josip Šimunić for chants "Za dom" after the World Cup play-off match against Iceland, when Croatia secured the World Cup berth. The Disciplinary Committee considers these chants discriminatory and has imposed drastic sanctions upon Šimunić.

FIFA Appeal Committee had upheld the Disciplinary Committee verdict and had rejected his first appeal, prompting Šimunić to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland.

After the hearing that included several witnesses and Šimunić himself, CAS upheld FIFA verdict and rejected Šimunić's appeal as well.

Therefore, Šimunić is suspended for ten international matches, and is banned from stadium area during those matches.

"I feel sorry for Josip, but FIFA, UEFA and CFF standpoints on racism and discrimination are well known and this decision is in line with those principles. However, this will not change the reputation he deserved being capped 105 times. Josip made a significant contribution to our World Cup qualification and our remaining players will surely play for him as well", said Davor Šuker, president of the Croatian Football Federation, after the CAS decision.

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