UEFA punishes Red Star for latest fan racism incident
NYON, Switzerland (AP) — UEFA has punished Red Star Belgrade for the latest "racist behavior" by its fans, and banned the club from selling tickets to its fans for a Champions League game at Tottenham.
UEFA said Friday its disciplinary panel found the charge proven against the Serbian champion at a qualifying rounds game against HJK Helsinki in Finland in July.
Red Star cannot sell tickets for its next Group B away game, in London on Oct. 22, and was fined 50,000 euros ($54,600).
The UEFA punishment follows similar fan incidents last season. Charges of racist behavior, illicit chants and crowd disorder led to Red Star playing a home playoff game in an empty stadium and being barred from selling tickets to two group-stage games away from home.
Red Star was ordered to pay UEFA fines totaling 191,000 euros ($208,000) last season, and 122,000 euros ($133,000) so far this season.
In a separate case of alleged racism, UEFA said Friday its disciplinary panel closed a case against Porto. No reason was given for the decision.
Racially abusive shouts were allegedly targeted by a fan with a megaphone at Young Boys player Jean-Pierre Nsame as he was preparing to take a penalty in a Europa League game last week.
