The seven fans who were taken into custody on suspicion of making Nazi salutes during the France-Croatia football match in Paris have been released and won't be prosecuted due to a lack of evidence, a judicial official said.
Paris police prefect Laurent Nunez said on Monday, a day after the Nations League game at Stade de France, that seven individuals who allegedly made the gestures were arrested, adding that they had "no business in a sports arena."
But prosecutors later said that police custody had been lifted and the proceedings dismissed because of insufficient evidence of an offence.
"The videos do not appear to be conclusive and show more gestures of supporters than Nazi salutes," Anne-Laure Mestrallet, the general secretary of Bobigny prosecutor's office, said.
According to the Croation state news agency HINA, citing police sources, a group of around 300 Croatian fans marched towards the stadium before kick-off, some singing patriotic songs, performing Nazi salutes and setting off smoke bombs.
Once inside the stadium, several supporters were seen repeating the Nazi gesture during the Croatian national anthem and again during the first half of the match.
Firecrackers and flares were also ignited in the Croatian supporters' section, authorities said.
HINA also reported that police found "iron rods, telescopic batons, sharp wooden sticks and smoke bombs" in the possession of some of the fans.
However, after the final whistle, fans dispersed calmly, and the buses transporting them departed the venue without any disturbances.
Last year, UEFA fined Croatia and six other football federations for racist and discriminatory behaviour by fans during the European Championship games.
Croatia received the largest fine — €50,000 — for incidents at all three of its matches.
