Panathinaikos handed home ban

Panathinaikos FC have been ordered to play their next UEFA club competition match behind closed doors after crowd disturbances marred the home leg of their UEFA Cup first-round tie against FC Metalurh Zaporizhya.

Disorderly conduct
Match delegates reported that fireworks were lit at the Pampeloponnisiako stadium and that plastic bottles were thrown at a Metalurh player when he was substituted after 88 minutes. In addition, a fan invaded the pitch after ten minutes of the game on 14 September - which ended in a 1-1 draw - while supporters surrounded the VIP sector after the match, throwing missiles and abusing team officials.

Appeal opportunity
UEFA's Control and Disciplinary Body has therefore ordered that Panathinaikos's next UEFA Cup home game, against Group G rivals Hapoel Tel-Aviv FC on 19 October, be played behind closed doors. The Greek side have three days to lodge an appeal against the decision.