• Symbol appeared to have been mowed into turf before Euro 2016 qualifier
• Davor Suker: we will talk about it tomorrow. Am I angry? Yes

A large swastika appeared to have been mowed into the turf before Italy's Euro 2016 qualifier against Croatia at the Stadion Poljud in Split.

Italy have made an official complaint to Uefa after a large swastika appeared to have been mowed into the turf before their Euro 2016 qualifier against Croatia at the Stadion Poljud in Split.

With the match being played behind closed doors after fans twice disrupted their team’s 1-1 draw with Italy at San Siro in November, the symbol – usually associated with the Nazi party – was spotted during the first half of the match, which also ended in a 1-1 draw.

“This is sabotage and a felony,” said Tomislav Pacak, a Croatian Football Federation (HNS) spokesman. “We expect police to identify the perpetrators.

“This is a disgrace not just for the HNS but for the whole of Croatia.

“As far as we have learned, the symbol was imprinted into the pitch between 24 and 48 hours before the match so that it could be visible during the game,” added Pacak.

“We apologise to all fans watching the game on television, to both teams and to our guests from Italy for the Nazi symbol.”

Members of the Italian FA alerted watching Uefa officials, with groundsmen attending to the pitch at half-time.

“It is incredible playing behind closed doors. It is an important game for Italy and Croatia, so I hope we both go to the Euros,” the Croatian FA’s president Davor Suker said.

“We have this problem, which is the fans do not respect the rules. We will talk about it tomorrow. Am I angry? Yes.”

Towering striker Mario Mandzukic gave Croatia a controversial 11th-minute lead before Antonio Candreva equalised with a cheeky penalty in the 36th.

Mandzukic, who missed an early spot-kick, scored seconds after Italy’s Stephan El Shaarawy had an effort disallowed for offside.

With the replay suggesting the forward had scored a good goal and the visitors arguing with the linesman, Croatia launched a swift break and Mandzukic stroked in a perfect low cross by Ivan Rakitic.

Mandzukic then gave away a penalty when he handled a teasing Andrea Pirlo cross and Candreva clipped the ball down the middle as he wrongfooted Croatia keeper Danijel Subasic.

Both sides missed plenty of chances in either half in a high-tempo encounter as instructions from both benches echoed in an eerily empty stadium.

Croatia had captain Darijo Srna sent off in stoppage time after a second booking for a foul.