GENEVA -- FIFA has banned Croatia defender Josip Simunic for 10 games -- including the entire World Cup -- for leading fans in a pro-Nazi chant after the team qualified for the tournament in Brazil. Simunic invoked a World War II-era slogan used by Croatias then-puppet regime following a 2-0 playoff victory against Iceland last month. "After taking into account all of the circumstances of the case, and particularly given the gravity of the incident, the committee decided to suspend the player for 10 official matches," FIFA said in a statement. The incident is the latest to discredit football in Croatia, after UEFA President Michel Platini described its fans as the worst behaved at the 2012 European Championship. The sanction also reflected FIFAs commitment this year to tougher sanctions for racism and discrimination at matches. Croatia coach Niko Kovac, a teammate of Simunic at the 2006 World Cup, said the ban probably ended the 35-year-old defenders national team career. "Im unpleasantly surprised, shocked and disappointed by FIFAs ban of Simunic," Kovac said. "Im primarily sad for Simunic who will miss the World Cup. I know him for long as a player and a person and Im sure he did not want to offend anyone." Kovac said the Croatian football federation would appeal to FIFA. If that fails, a challenge at the Court of Arbitration for Sport could follow. Croatia hosted Iceland in Zagreb on Nov. 19 for a decisive qualifying match after a 0-0 draw in the first leg. After the match, Simunic took a microphone on the pitch and shouted to supporters: "For the homeland!" The fans responded: "Ready!" FIFA said Monday that the salute was "discriminatory and offended the dignity of a group of persons concerning ... race, religion or origin." Simunic will miss the whole World Cup tournament in Brazil and is also barred from the stadiums where Croatia will play its next 10 games. Simunic said he felt "bitter and shocked," according to Damir Vrbanovic, managing director of Croatias football federation "It is clear that FIFA wanted to send a strong message with this draconian punishment," Vrbanovic said. FIFA also fined Simunic 30,000 Swiss francs ($33,800) and ordered the Croatia football federation to pay a fine of 70,000 Swiss francs ($78,700). Simunic previously defended his action, saying he was driven by love for his country. The Australia-born player famously was sent off at the 2006 World Cup against Australia after receiving three yellow cards. In a separate FIFA disciplinary verdict Monday, Croatia star forward Mario Mandzukic was banned for just one World Cup match for a red-card challenge against Iceland. Mandzukic will miss the tournaments opening match when Croatia plays host Brazil in Sao Paulo on June 12. "We knew that Mandzukic will be punished and in that context we are happy its a one-match suspension," Kovac said. The FIFA panel imposed the minimum sanction on Mandzukic for serious foul play. The Bayern Munich forward, who scored the opening goal minutes earlier, was sent off for stamping on Iceland midfielder Johann Gudmundssons left knee. Frank Mason III Jersey . After losing Brett Cecil to groin tightness on Friday, the Blue Jays watched as R. Glenn Robinson Jersey .com) - Jahlil Okafor had 21 points, Tyus Jones scored 16 with 10 assists and No. https://www.cheapbucksonline.com/ .com) - It appears both the Houston Rockets and Chicago Bulls will reach the playoffs, but the two squads are coming off losing efforts. Thanasis Antetokounmpo Jersey . -- Arizona coach Bruce Arians says there "were obviously very, very many problems" with the officiating in the Cardinals 24-21 loss at Philadelphia. Jack Sikma Jersey .ca. Hi Kerry, Love reading your column and loved watching your analysis on the TSN broadcasts!And were now in Round 2! Bruins! Canadiens! We know all about the great games of the past from the players, the broadcasters and the writers.ST. LOUIS - At the start of training camp, Austin Davis was simply trying to secure a roster spot. Now, hes the St. Louis Rams starting quarterback.Coach Jeff Fisher announced Wednesday that Davis will be behind centre for the rest of the season. Previously, Fisher insisted that Shaun Hill would return as starter as soon as he was completely healed from the quad injury.I think thats why you do take the cliche approach of work hard every day and take every rep like its your last, because you never know whats going to happen in this game with injuries and different opportunities and things like that, Davis said. Yeah, its a bit of a wild ride, but at the end of the day, this team is looking for me to lead them and Im up for that challenge and excited about it.The 25-year-old Davis has thrown for 754 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions, while completing 72 per cent of his passes since taking over for Hill midway through the first game of the season.Davis 93.1 quarterback rating is ninth-highest among NFC quarterbacks.I think its important that you avoid the questions, you avoid the controversies of things like that, Fisher said. And yes, I did say that Shaun was our quarterback. My job is to make the right decisions and I felt that I was going to go this way pretty much after the Tampa Bay game based on what I saw, and then the Dallas game was just what really convinced us as a staff and myself. And hhe deserves it.dddddddddddd He deserves an opportunity.Davis, who is in his third year, was actually cut by the Rams last season. He was brought back after Sam Bradford suffered a torn ACL.After the Rams drafted Garrett Gilbert in the off-season, a position for Davis was far from guaranteed. But Davis outplayed Gilbert in the preseason and injuries to Bradford and Hill led to the opportunity.Rams wide receiver Kenny Britt likes Davis attitude.The one thing that Ive seen from his first start is hes more confident in himself in the huddle, Britt said. Hes taking command in the huddle. Hes telling us what he wants in certain looks and certain routes and thats something that you want to see out of any veteran quarterback and right now hes looking like a five or six year vet.Hill seemed poised to be the Rams starter after Bradford re-injured his ACL, but has not seen the field since injuring his quad in the first half of the season opener.Obviously, its frustrating, but I understand it, Hill said. Fishers got a decision to make and he made a decision for what he felt was best for the team. Obviously, the team comes first. Im a professional and Ill come to work every day and try to help this team the best that I can.NOTES: Hill (thigh) was a full participant in practice, while Tavon Austin (knee) was limited. Trumaine Johnson (knee), Barrett Jones (back) and Brandon McGee (foot) did not participate. ' ' '