UEFA acts against fans' racist conduct

UEFA has sanctioned the Football Association of Serbia (FSS), PFC CSKA Moskva and Apollon Limassol FC for racist behaviour by supporters at UEFA competition matches.

For full details of the cases, visit the  UEFA.org disciplinary section.

The sections of the stadium designated for home fans will be closed for Serbia's next UEFA European Under-21 Championship home game as a punishment for "monkey chants" heard by the assistant referee during the 2-2 qualifying Group 9 draw against Belgium on 15 November 2013.

In addition, the FSS has been directed to display a banner with the wording "No to Racism", and bearing the UEFA and FARE logos, during their next U21 home match, with the banner to be located in the closed sectors of the stadium. The dimensions of the banner shall be no less than 20m wide and 15m high. Moreover, Serbia's captain for that game will be asked to make a public announcement from the centre of the pitch expressing the FSS, the team and the fans' opposition to racism.

CSKA, meanwhile, must play their next UEFA club competition home match behind closed doors and pay a fine of €50,000 after supporters displayed a range of racist and far-right symbols during their 2-1 UEFA Champions League Group D defeat at FC Viktoria Plzeň on 10 December. The punishment reflects the fact that CSKA have previous records of racist conduct by fans.

Apollon, meanwhile, will have the areas of their home stadium either side of the tunnel closed for their next UEFA competition home game after their supporters directed "monkey chants" at Legia Warszawa's Dossa Júnior during their 2-0 UEFA Europa League Group J home defeat on 12 December.

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. All forms of racist behaviour are considered serious offences against the disciplinary regulations and are punished with the most severe sanctions.

Following the entry into force of the new disciplinary regulations on 1 June 2013, the fight against racist conduct has been stepped up a level – resulting in more severe sanctions to deter any such behaviour.