Seferovic given one-year ban

NK Zeljeznicar midfield player Sead Seferovic has been banned from playing in UEFA competition matches for one year for a doping offence.

Tested positive
The UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body heard that Seferovic had tested positive for the prohibited substance ephedrine in samples taken at the Bosnia-Herzegovnian side's UEFA Champions League third qualifying round match against English outfit Newcastle United FC on 14 August.

Considerable concentrations
The body was told that considerable concentrations of the substance, which experts say is similar to amphetamines, had been detected during analysis. The UEFA disciplinary organ has asked for FIFA to be requested to extend the ban worldwide. The player has until midnight on 17 October to lodge an appeal.

Spectator incidents
In other disciplinary cases dealt with by the Control and Disciplinary Body, three clubs – Internazionale FC (Italy), Panathinaikos FC (Greece) and Maccabi Haifa (Israel) – have each been fined €20,450 for recent spectator incidents.

Missiles and fireworks
The Control and Disciplinary Body was told that Inter supporters threw missiles and fireworks at the Champions League match against AFC Ajax in Milan on 25 September, while security shortcomings were also cited.

Crowd disturbances
Panathanaikos were fined for crowd disturbances at their UEFA Cup game with PFC Litex Lovech on 3 October, while Maccabi fans threw missiles and fireworks at the Champions League fixture against Bayer 04 Leverkusen on 1 October.

Other major fines
Fenerbahçe SK from Turkey were fined €17,000 for the throwing of missiles by their fans at the UEFA Cup match against AIK Solna on 3 October, while the Hellenic Football Federation has been fined the same amount for the throwing of missiles and fireworks by spectators at the EURO 2004™ qualifying match against Spain in Athens on 7 September.