Croatia have appealed against a one-point deduction after a swastika was daubed on the pitch when they played Italy in a Euro 2016 qualifier in Split in June, UEFA reported on Friday.

The appeal will be heard later this month and until then, Croatis remain top of Group H on goal difference, level on 15 points with Italy, following the Italians' 1-0 win in Malta and Croatia's goalless draw with Azerbaijan.

Norway, 1-0 winners in Bulgaria, are only two points behind Croatia and Italy and still in contention for one of the top two qualifying spots.