MOSCOW, February 18 (R-Sport) – CSKA Moscow must play its next European match behind closed doors as punishment for fans displaying racist signs at a Champions League game, the Union of European Football Associations said Tuesday.
According to a statement posted on the UEFA’s website, CSKA fans “displayed a range of racist and far-right symbols” during December’s 2-1 defeat to Czech team Viktoria Plzen.
“CSKA … must play [its] next UEFA club competition home game behind closed doors and pay a fine of 50,000 euros,” the website statement said. “The punishment reflects the fact that CSKA [has] previous records of racist behavior by supporters.”
The Russian champion team was embroiled in scandal earlier in their European campaign, receiving a partial stadium ban after October’s 2-1 loss to Manchester City, when midfielder Yaya Toure claimed he had been taunted with monkey chants.
CSKA didn’t make it past the group stage, and the punishment will be likely carried into next season.
