Fascism is unbelievably still an issue in Croatia with a shadowy acceptance of this most grotesque neo-nazi mantra, not the biggest fan of France but on this occasion I hope they hammer them.
Surely you're too far long in the tooth and know better than to make offensive unfounded statements about someone's country and nationality. Disappointing to have to read that from you when I know for a fact you know sweet f**k all about the country, culture, people and it's history. In particular you know very little about the bloody period forged in the early and mid 90's. To clear the air about the accusations of "fascist" songs sung by the team, firstly the song and it's lyrics are not fascist and were written and performed originally in the midst of a bloody conflict where Croatian people were attacked and ethically cleansed by Serbs. Now the song in question is "Bojna Cavoglave" translating loosely to the "battalion of Cavoglave" with the later being a small village in the Sibenik/Knin region which was under heavy Serb occupation. The performer of the song was from the village and personally involved in it's defence.
For clarity the song does not instigate murder, killing, or ethnic cleansing of any sort. See below rough translation; (it is impossible to translate word for word)
In Zagora(2), near the source of the Čikola river,
We stood, brothers, defending our homes.
There stand croat next to the croat, we're all brothers,
You won't get in Čavoglave while we are alive!
Fire your Tompson, Kalashnikov and Zbrojovka(3)
Throw grenade, chase the gang trough the spring!
Step forward, guns ready, let all of us sing the song:
"For our homes, brothers, for freedom we are fighting"
Listen you, band of serbian volunteer guerillas,
Our revenge will get you even in Serbia!
God's justice will get you, everyone knows that.
Listen now the message of Saint Ilia:
"You won't get in Čavoglave as you couldn't enter it before!"
Oh, croatians, dear brothers from Čavoglave,
Croatia won't ever forget you!
It's a patriotic song that symbolises the defence and fight against an enemy that fiercely fought to occupy territory, neutralise and extinguish a nation that has struggled for it's independence for 100's of years. Given that peace has only reigned for 23 years the pain, struggle, and memories are still fresh and a sore spot for many the song is therefore still widely sung. It's so fresh that about 80% of that current squad haven been personally impacted by the conflict through being displaced, death of relatives family etc. Lovren candidly talks about it in "My life as a refugee", Modric's grandfather killed by Serb paramillitants, and many other examples.
So not only are you incorrect in labelling the song as fascist but infuriatingly more you are incorrect with your blanket assertion that there is a "shadowy acceptance" and a wider fascism issue. That is insulting to me and every other Croat on this forum and reading this yes there are f**king idiots and outliers but no more than anywhere else. Due to the still recent formation of the country and the breakdown of the old "system" the social, economic, and political environment is ominous for this reason. Football and this World Cup run have masked some of those issues temporarily I cringe and loathe for uninformed fuckwits who come on here to try and taint this and take it away. In particular when it's someone who lives in a country where there are known accepted far right wing parties, well organised Neo Nazi groups and worst of all your apparent discuss at any of this when the world f**king knows the English have murdered, raped, pillaged, and cleansed across the globe for 100's of years.
Absolute gobs***e of a post from you.
Ill just add this for you too... fresh of the press.
https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup/world-cup-2018-england-vs-croatia-chants-investigate-fifa-semi-finals-video-watch-a8444721.html