PARIS: 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.

Table (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, points):

Group H

Croatia 7 4 3 0 16 3 15

Italy 7 4 3 0 10 5 15

Norway 7 4 1 2 8 8 13

Bulgaria 7 2 2 3 7 8 8

Azerbaijan 7 1 2 4 4 11 5

Malta 7 0 1 6 1 11 1

Copyright AFP (Agence France-Presse), 2015