UEFA: 'zero- tolerance' for racist incidents
European football's governing body UEFA, based in Nyon, said on Tuesday that it had imposed a raft of sanctions after racist incidents in the Europa League.
In a statement, UEFA said that it had ordered the partial closure of the stadiums of Georgian club Chikhura Sachkhere, Hungary's Debrecen -- whose new Nagyerdei Stadium only opened in May -- Romanian side Steaua Bucharest, and the Slovenians' Maribor.
The one-game penalties will apply to the four clubs' next European competition matches.
The incidents occurred during their Champions League and Europa league matches last month.
Debrecen beat North Irish club Cliftonville 2-0 in their Champions League second qualifying round second leg on July 22nd.
Having gone through to the third round and beaten BATE Borisov 1-0 in the first leg, Debrecen could cement their European campaign later on Tuesday during the second leg in Belarus.
The partial stadium closure will therefore apply to the Champions League playoffs, if they make it.
Steaua Bucharest, meanwhile, defeated Norwegian visitors Stroemsgodset 2-0 in their Champions League second leg.
They host Kazakh side Aktobe in Tuesday's third qualifying round, after a 2-2 draw in the first leg.
Maribor also notched up a 2-0 win against Bosnian side Zrinjski in their racism-marred match.
Having reached the third round, they edged Maccabi Tel Aviv 1-0 in the first leg at home.
In Tuesday's second leg, they face Maccabi in Cyprus, after the match was shifted by UEFA because of security concerns in Israel.
Chikhura Sachkhere drew 0-0 with Turkish side Bursaspor in their Europa League second qualifying round first leg in July 24th.
Having gone through to the third qualifying round, they will be punished during Thursday's home second leg against Neftci from neighbouring Azerbaijan, with whom they drew 0-0 in the July 31st first leg..
"The fight against racism is a high priority for UEFA. The European governing body has a zero-tolerance policy towards racism and discrimination on the pitch and in the stands," UEFA said.
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In a statement, UEFA said that it had ordered the partial closure of the stadiums of Georgian club Chikhura Sachkhere, Hungary's Debrecen -- whose new Nagyerdei Stadium only opened in May -- Romanian side Steaua Bucharest, and the Slovenians' Maribor.
The one-game penalties will apply to the four clubs' next European competition matches.
The incidents occurred during their Champions League and Europa league matches last month.
Debrecen beat North Irish club Cliftonville 2-0 in their Champions League second qualifying round second leg on July 22nd.
Having gone through to the third round and beaten BATE Borisov 1-0 in the first leg, Debrecen could cement their European campaign later on Tuesday during the second leg in Belarus.
The partial stadium closure will therefore apply to the Champions League playoffs, if they make it.
Steaua Bucharest, meanwhile, defeated Norwegian visitors Stroemsgodset 2-0 in their Champions League second leg.
They host Kazakh side Aktobe in Tuesday's third qualifying round, after a 2-2 draw in the first leg.
Maribor also notched up a 2-0 win against Bosnian side Zrinjski in their racism-marred match.
Having reached the third round, they edged Maccabi Tel Aviv 1-0 in the first leg at home.
In Tuesday's second leg, they face Maccabi in Cyprus, after the match was shifted by UEFA because of security concerns in Israel.
Chikhura Sachkhere drew 0-0 with Turkish side Bursaspor in their Europa League second qualifying round first leg in July 24th.
Having gone through to the third qualifying round, they will be punished during Thursday's home second leg against Neftci from neighbouring Azerbaijan, with whom they drew 0-0 in the July 31st first leg..
"The fight against racism is a high priority for UEFA. The European governing body has a zero-tolerance policy towards racism and discrimination on the pitch and in the stands," UEFA said.
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