NYON, Switzerland (AP) - UEFA has punished CSKA Moscow, Cypriot club Apollon Limassol and Serbia Under-21s for racist behavior by their fans with full or partial stadium closures.
CSKA received the heavier punishment of playing its next European home game behind closed doors, after its supporters displayed racist and far-right symbols in the Czech Republic during a 2-1 loss to Viktoria Plzen on Dec. 10 in the Champions League. The club was also fined 50,000 euros ($68,000) after being warned previously for fan abuse during an October home game against Manchester City.
Apollon Limassol received a partial home stadium closure at its next UEFA game after its fans were caught making monkey chants at Legia Warsaw player Dossa Junior during a 2-0 home loss in the Europa League on Dec. 12.
The Football Association of Serbia was ordered to partially close its stadium at the next Serbia Under-21 home game after monkey sounds were heard during a 2-2 draw with Belgium in 2015 European U21 Championship qualifying on Nov. 15.
Because Serbia had already had to play two home U21 games behind closed doors for racial abuse during a home game against England U21s in October 2012, UEFA ordered the Serbia FA at the next U21 home game to display a large banner reading “No to Racism” and make the captain stand in the middle of the ground and announce over the PA the opposition to racism by the Serbia FA, the U21 team and their fans.
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