ZAGREB: Davor Suker has been forced out as president of the Croatia football federation and may thus have to quit as a member of the executive committee of European governing body UEFA.

The former Real Madrid centre-forward had held the position since 2012 but Croatia’s second round exit against Spain in the Euro 2020 finals this summer sparked a groundswell of disatisfaction at his leadership of the domestic game.

Marijan Kustic, the former executive director, has taken over.

Suker said: “I am happy to have participated in the greatest successes of Croatian football, both as a player and as president of the HNS.”

The 53-year-old is Croatia’s 45-goal all-time leading scorer. He was six-goal top marksman at the 1998 World Cup in which Croatia finished third.

Under his presidency, Croatia reached the final of the 2018 World Cup before losing 4-2 to France.

His role within UEFA is at risk because a senior appointment in domestic football is mandatory for all members of the exco.

############