Punishment for UEFA Cup disorder

The UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body has fined Boavista FC and Málaga CF for incidents at a recent UEFA Cup game.

Serious fines
Málaga have been fined €9,000 for the misconduct of members of their playing staff, while their Portuguese opponents have been fined €12,500 for several offences including the dismissal of kit manager Manuel Povoas and goalkeeping coach Alfredo Castro during the game.

Provocative behaviour
With the scores level after extra time in the second leg of their quarter-final tie in Porto, Málaga midfield player Carlos Sierra ('Sandro') - who had already been substituted - was dismissed for attempting to provoke members of the opposition team with words and gestures.

Club responsibilities
Five other Málaga players were cautioned in the course of the game on 20 March, which Boavista won 4-1 on penalties, and the Control and Disciplinary Body has decided that - in view of the conduct of Sierra, his team-mates and the club's responsibilities and previous record - a fine is appropriate.

One-match ban
In addition, Sierra has been handed a one-match ban from UEFA club competition. Málaga, who reached the quarter-final by the long route, having qualified via the UEFA Intertoto Cup, have until midnight on Friday 4 April to appeal against the fine.

Other misdemeanours
Boavista have until the same day to appeal against their punishment. Their fine was earned partly by the dismissal of the two members of their coaching staff, but also by general manager José Amaral's decision to watch the penalty shoot-out from the touchline.

Second ban
Amaral was serving the second match of a two-game touchline ban when he was seen watching the shoot-out, and will now be banned for two further UEFA matches. Castro will also be banned for two matches for abusing match officials, while Povoas has received a one-match ban for the same reason.

Shoot-out chaos
The Control and Disciplinary board was also unhappy with the way the shoot-out was conducted, with photographers not behind the touchline and 50 members of the media, including journalists, running on to the pitch after the game.