"After the victory, my happiness knew no end and I wanted to celebrate with our supporters who had endured with us for better and for worse, and in this state of excitement, arising solely from my
love for my homeland Croatia, and not from any intent to glorify a totalitarian regime, I spoke the words 'For Home.' … I hereby deny that there was any political context underlying that
statement, which was guided purely by my love for my nation and country rather than by hatred and destruction."
-- Croatian defender
Josip Simunic, whom FIFA suspended
for 10 games -- meaning he'll miss the World Cup -- for taking the microphone after Croatia qualified by beating Iceland and igniting a call-and-response chant of "For the Homeland!” and
“Ready!," a chant made infamous by Croatia's fascist regime in World War II. (
Croatian federation web site)
