Rakitic apologises for 'stupid' Croatia troublemakers

The actions of a small minority of troublemakers should not tarnish the country's Euro 2016 campaign, says yhe Barcelona star

Ivan Rakitic has apologised on behalf of the Croatian national team after the crowd trouble that marred their 2-2 draw with Czech Republic in Saint-Etienne on Friday.

Croatia were winning 2-1 at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard when a volley of flares rained down on the pitch, prompting fighting among the Croatian supporters and causing referee Mark Clattenburg to briefly halt the game.

A banner was held up by a small group in the end where the incident took place, with a group of dissidents opposed to the Croatian Football Federation [HNS] believed to be responsible.