England will make history on Friday night as they play their first ever senior fixture behind closed doors on Friday as they visit Croatia for a rematch of the World Cup semi-final. This will be England’s 988th international in their history with their first one being played way back in 1872, but this one will be the first one to be played behind closed doors, in front of an empty stadium.
There will be a few hundred people in attendance of course, the world’s media and commentary teams will be allowed in to report on the game, as will television representatives and officials from the FA and Croatian Football Federation. But no fans will be present inside the stadium.
Despite this fact, hundreds of England fans are still making the trip to Rijeka for the game, to show support for the young side. The reason this decision has been taken by UEFA is to punish Croatia after a swastika was marked into the pitch before a home qualifier against Italy in the build-up to Euro 2016.
The official statement read: “Uefa can confirm that the Uefa Nations League group stage match between Croatia and England scheduled for 12 October 2018 will be played behind closed doors," said European football's governing body.
"This relates back to a decision taken by the Uefa control, ethics and disciplinary body on 23 July 2015 which ordered the Croatian Football Federation (HNS) to play its next two home matches in Uefa competition without supporters in the stadium."
Croatia were also deducted a point as further punishment in their Euro 2016 qualifying group but still made it to the finals in France.
