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FIFA penalizes 7 nations for homophobic chants, other discriminatory acts

Croatia must play its first two World Cup qualifiers without spectators as a result of FIFA sanctions imposed on seven nations following discriminatory chants by fans.

FIFA has fined Croatia the equivalent of $150,000 for incidents in friendly matches against Israel and Hungary last month. It has also ordered it to play forthcoming games with Turkey and Finland behind closed doors. The decision comes after Croatia had previously been punished by both FIFA and UEFA.

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Chile has been banned from playing at the Estadio Nacional Julio Martinez Pradanos in Santiago for two matches and fined the equivalent of $30,000 as a result of homophobic chants from supporters.