The HNS said in a statement that it and the Croatian national team supported UEFA's activities to find those whose behaviour tarnished the reputation of the championship, regardless of which state they came from.
The HNS appealed on UEFA not to punish the Croatian team or associate it with "some supporters who are actually not fans, but hooligans who should be excluded from all sporting events," saying that Croatia had shown at EURO 2012 that it had "great, civilised and loyal supporters who love their team, respect all other teams and support their country in the spirit of sport and fair play."
UEFA said today it had opened disciplinary proceedings against the HNS "for the setting-off and throwing of fireworks, and the improper conduct of supporters (racist chants, racist symbols)" during Croatia's 1-1 draw against Italy in Poznan on Thursday.
UEFA already fined the HNS 25,000 euros for incidents caused by Croatian fans during a match with Ireland. Croatia was fined because its fans threw flares and firecrackers into the field and because one of the 8,000 Croatian spectators went onto the pitch.