Copenhagen contest goes to Sweden

Sweden have been awarded a 3-0 victory against Denmark by UEFA following last Saturday's abandoned UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifier.

Nyon hearing
UEFA's Control and Disciplinary Body today discussed the events at the Group F fixture at Copenhagen's Parken Stadium. German referee Herbert Fandel abandoned the qualifier in the closing stages with the scores level at 3-3. He had awarded a penalty to Sweden and given a red card to Denmark's Christian Poulsen when a spectator came on to the pitch and assaulted him.

Copenhagen ban
As well as UEFA awarding the match to Sweden by default, the Danish Football Association (DBU) has been fined 100,000CHF (€61,000) and ordered to play its next four home UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifiers at least 250km from Copenhagen. These matches are the games against Liechtenstein (12 September), Spain (13 October), Latvia (17 October) and Iceland (21 November). The Liechtenstein tie will also have to be staged behind closed doors. Once in possession of the written grounds, the DBU will have three days to appeal the decision.

Poulsen punished
Midfielder Poulsen has also been banned for three competitive internationals for striking an opponent. Given that the 27-year-old from Sevilla FC did not appear in the 2-0 win in Latvia last Wednesday, the remaining two matches of his suspension will be served in the return in Sweden on 8 September and the home game against Liechtenstein. UEFA had confirmed on Tuesday it would investigate the 2 June events, having received the referee and delegate's reports. Two goals from Johan Elmander and another from Petter Hansson had put Sweden 3-0 up, only for Daniel Agger, Jon Dahl Tomasson and Leon Andreasen to draw the home team level.