Tuesday 30 January 2018 17:34, UK
England's opening UEFA Nations League game will be played behind closed doors as Croatia complete a stadium ban for having a swastika on their pitch.
Croatia were forced to apologise after the symbol could be seen cut into the pitch during their European Championship Qualifier against Italy in Split in June 2015.
The ruling carries over from the Euro 2016 qualifying phase instead of taking in the World Cup 2018 Qualifiers as that competition came under FIFA regulations.
The group draw for the UEFA Nations League took place in Lausanne, Switzerland last week, with Gareth Southgate's men due to face Spain and Croatia in Group A4.
Teams play each other home and away, with England opening their campaign with a high-profile fixture against Spain at Wembley on September 8.
England then travel to Croatia on October 12, although UEFA has confirmed supporters will be unable to attend, something that has angered English fans who have already booked flights and accommodation in Croatia.
"Collective punishments, such as playing games behind closed doors, punish innocent fans every bit as much as those who have committed crimes - and in this case England away fans could end up seriously out of pocket," said a spokesman for the Football Supporters' Federation (FSF).
"There have been precedents for UEFA making exemptions for away fans who can prove they've already paid for travel.
"We want the FA to lobby UEFA intensely to try and ensure that England fans are allowed into the game.
"The FSF is also affiliated to Football Supporters Europe and we'll be speaking with our friends across the continent to lobby UEFA in the coming weeks and months."
England play Netherlands in a friendly at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam on March 23 before they take on Italy at Wembley four days later as they continue their preparations for this summer's World Cup in Russia.
