Advertisement

Kiev, Roma punished over Europa League trouble

Dynamo Kiev must pay a 70,000 euro ($77,000) fine and close part of their stadium following last week's violence-scarred Europa League tie with Guingamp, UEFA announced on Wednesday. European football's disciplinary body also meted out a 10,000 euro fine to Serie A side AS Roma for problems at their game at Feyenoord. Roma were punished for delaying kick-off, and their player Adem Ljajic received a warning for "provoking spectators". UEFA's investigation into Feyenoord for "racist behaviour, setting off and throwing of fireworks and/or objects" and "insufficient organization" will be heard on March 19. The last 32, second leg game at the Dutch club's De Kuip stadium on February 26 was suspended for more than 10 minutes after a large inflatable banana was thrown towards the pitch and in the direction of Roma's Ivory Coast winger Gervinho, who went on to score the winner in a 3-2 aggregate victory for the Italian side. In Dynamo's case, they were charged with a range of offences at their game with French outfit Guingamp, including a pitch invasion, setting off of fireworks, and "insufficient organisation". A group of some 300 Dynamo Kiev fans had come down pitchside and menacingly approached a small group of about 30 Guingamp fans who had made the trip from Brittany. A UEFA statement announced: "The UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body has ordered the partial closure of FC Dynamo Kyiv Stadium in which they would play as the host club and, in particular, the sector 21 of their stadium. "The Ukrainian club have also been fined €70,000." The incidents at both games triggered a forthright response from world football head Sepp Blatter. "Shameful scenes of violence & racism last night. ALL football bodies MUST implement 2013 FIFA Congress Resolution to fight discrimination." Blatter posted on his official Twitter account.