ZAGREB: Niko Kovac, national coach of Croatia, escaped unhurt after being attacked by hooligans. The attackers, who claimed to be fans of Hajduk Split, targeted Kovac at a motorway service station between Split and Zagreb.

A statement from the Croat federation said: “About 1-0 hooligans with Hajduk insignia insulted him verbally and then attacked him physically.”

Kovac was on his way to Split to discuss arrangements for the Euro 2016 tie against Italy on June 12 which has to be played behind closed doors after incidents during last month’s game against Norway.

Relations between Hajduk and the federation have existed since November 2014 when the club refused to travel to a game away to champions Dinamo Zagreb after some Hajduk fans were told they would be refused entrance to the stadium.

The game was awarded on a 3-0 walkover to Dinamo a decision which prompted a protest against the federation by around 15,000 people in Split.

** Moscow Spartak have been punished with a two-game closed-door order and a fine after racist slogans were disciplayed by famns during a Russian league match against Arsebal Tula.

** Bulgarian federation officials have reported suspected match-fixing to the police from second division games involving Septemvri Simitli, Lokomotiv Mezdra, Vereya Stara Zagora, Botev Vratsa and Pirin Razlog.

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