Fan conduct costs Sparta
Friday, November 11, 2005
Article summary
AC Sparta Praha have been punished for the racist conduct of their fans in their game at FC Thun.
Article body
Away ban
Czech champions Sparta will therefore not be allowed to sell any tickets to their supporters for the Group B match in Amsterdam against AFC Ajax on 22 November. The club have until midnight CET on Monday 14 November to lodge an appeal.
Racist chants
The Control and Disciplinary Committee reported that on 28 September, the Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) network informed UEFA of reports from individuals who witnessed racist chants from Sparta fans in the course of the game, notably in the second half. In particular, one witness testified that almost all the Sparta supporters in sector B14 of the stadium were involved in racist chanting when Thun players Armand Deumi or José Gonçalves were in possession of the ball. An examination of video footage of the match entirely confirmed that evidence.
Previous incidents
In deciding their action, UEFA took into account previous incidents of this nature involving Sparta fans. Because of racist chanting during Sparta's Matchday 1 game against Ajax, the Czech champions were ordered to close part of their stadium for the next home match against Arsenal FC on 18 October. The capacity was cut by around 6,300, reducing the attendance to 12,528, and the Prague club were fined an additional €32,000.
