Sports / Off the Field |
Feyenoord fined over crowd disturbances(Reuters)Updated: 2006-12-08 11:27 BERNE, Dec 7 - Dutch first division club Feyenoord have been fined 125,000 euros over crowd trouble during last month's UEFA Cup group stage match away to Nancy. The club has also been handed a provisional punishment of playing two home matches behind closed doors if there are any more disturbances in the next three years. The sanctions "for serious disturbances including the throwing of missiles" were announced by European soccer's governing body UEFA following a meeting of the organisation's control and disciplinary board on Thursday. The November 30 match in France had to be suspended for half an hour after tear gas used to quell rioting Feyenoord fans drifted onto the pitch. Feyenoord could face additional punishment for the throwing of objects by supporters during a home match against Blackburn Rovers in the same competition one week earlier. A UEFA spokesman said the incident was still to be discussed by the disciplinary board and might not be announced until Friday. "We are pleased with the fact that UEFA obviously took notice of our defence," said Feyenoord director Chris Woerts. "It is a tough punishment, one of the toughest we ever had, so we are not relieved but we won't appeal against it as we consider it reasonable." Last season Feyenoord played their UEFA cup match against Rapid Bucharest behind close doors after two Sporting Lisbon players were hit by objects thrown from the crowd during a match in February 2005. "A suspension of the club would have harmed our image and also would bring us enormous financial consequences," added financial director Onno Jacobs. "From now on we will decide for every match if we organise anything for our registered fans but that has to do with the opponent and the country we have to visit." Feyenoord host Poland's Wisla Krakow next Wednesday and need a win to reach the next round.
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