PAOK and Rapid Wien punished over incidents

PAOK FC and SK Rapid Wien have been punished by the UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body following incidents at their UEFA Europa League play-off first leg in Salonika on 23 August.

The Greek and Austrian clubs have been disqualified for one competition in progress and/or excluded from the next competition for which they qualify in the next five years. The bans for the two clubs are each suspended for probationary periods of three years.

PAOK were charged with the improper conduct of supporters – crowd disturbances, pitch invasion, setting off and throwing of missiles and fireworks – and insufficient organisation. Rapid Wien were facing charges of improper conduct of supporters – crowd disturbances and setting off and throwing of fireworks and missiles.

PAOK have been ordered to play their next three UEFA competition home matches behind closed doors, i.e. with no spectators present. The club have also been fined €150,000.

Rapid have been fined €75,000, and must play their next UEFA competition home game behind closed doors, i.e. with no spectators present. This punishment does not apply to the UEFA Europa League play-off second leg between Rapid and PAOK in Vienna on Thursday 30 August. PAOK hold a 2-1 lead from the first leg.

The two clubs may lodge appeals against the respective decisions within three days of the dispatch of the reasoned decisions.