UEFA charges Olympiakos for offensive fan banner
NYON, Switzerland (AP) — UEFA charged Olympiakos on Thursday for an offensive banner displayed by fans at a Champions League game.
UEFA said its disciplinary panel will judge a charge of “racist behavior” on Friday.
Any punishment could apply when the Greek club hosts Bayern Munich on Oct. 22.
The banner was displayed Tuesday during a 3-1 loss at Red Star Belgrade. Fans of the two clubs have long-standing links and displayed a friendship slogan at the game.
Olympiakos faces a separate charge for the team being late for the second half. Red Star faces a fine for “improper conduct” because five players were shown a yellow card.
UEFA said both Manchester City and Dinamo Zagreb have been charged for fans throwing objects at their Champions League game on Tuesday.
Dinamo also faces a fine and paying compensation for damage done by its fans at City’s stadium. The charges will be judged on Oct. 17.
Club Brugge captain Ruud Vormer is facing a longer suspension after being charged with “abusive language toward a match official” in a 2-2 draw at Real Madrid on Tuesday.
Vormer was already set to be banned for one game after being sent off for a second yellow card. An additional two-game Champions League could be imposed on Oct. 17.
In a similar case this season, UEFA banned Ante Rebic for five games for “serious rough play” plus insulting a match official.
