UEFA reduces CSKA Moscow's punishment for fan violence, racism
UEFA has reduced its sanctions against CSKA Moscow after a successful appeal by the club, UEFA announced Tuesday.
CSKA was initially fined €200,000, forced to play three UEFA home matches in an empty stadium and barred from selling tickets to supporters for two Champions League road games. After the appeal, the fine was cut in half. The third closed-door game is suspended, pending a five-year probation period. The road ticket sale ban remains in effect.
The club had filed an appeal on Oct. 15.
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CSKA's Champions Leauge match against Manchester City on Oct. 21 was played in an empty stadium. The club's match against Roma on Nov. 25 will also be played behind closed doors.
The sanctions are a result of fan violence and racism during CSKA's loss to Roma in Italy in September, when fans of CSKA began tossing flares at Roma supporters during the second half.
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CSKA supporters have been accused of racist and dangerous behavior in the past. The club played its match this week against Bayern Munich behind closed doors as punishment for fan racism against Viktoria Plzen last season, and City's Yaya Toure said he faced racist taunts from CSKA fans during an October 2013 match in Moscow.
- Dan Gartland
