Croatia defender Simunic loses appeal against World Cup ban

By foxsports
Published

ZAGREB, Croatia --

The lawyers for Croatia defender Josip Simunic say he has lost his appeal at sport's highest court against a 10-match ban for leading fans in a pro-Nazi chant after a World Cup playoff win.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport is to announce the ruling later Monday. But his lawyers say they have received the ruling in advance.

The 36-year-old Simunic, who has played 105 times for Croatia, had been a probable selection for his third World Cup.

Simunic invoked a World War II-era slogan used by Croatia's then-puppet regime following victory against Iceland in Zagreb last November.

FIFA's disciplinary panel said Simunic's action was discriminatory and offensive.