Rise in disciplinary cases

Every second UEFA match continues to give rise to a disciplinary case, according to figures issued by European football's governing body.

Nine per cent rise
A report produced by UEFA showed that the number of cases dealt with by the UEFA disciplinary authorities increased by nine per cent in 2003/04. This figure has now risen for four seasons running.

Dismissals
The report also showed that the number of dismissals in the UEFA club competitions – the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Cup and the UEFA Intertoto Cup – rose from 162 in 638 matches in 2002/03 to 167 in 606 matches last season.

More matches
The authorities handled 822 disciplinary cases last term, compared with 752 in 2002/03. "However, the disciplinary case average remains somewhat stable, given that the number of matches was also higher on account of the UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifiers and the final round itself," the report said. A total of 1,553 UEFA matches took place in 2003/04 compared with 1,441 in 2002/03.

More appeals
The number of appeals, meanwhile, rose by 63 per cent, from 27 in 2002/03 to 44. According to the report "5.4 per cent of disciplinary cases were taken to appeal", and it added: "The possibility to have an appeal dealt with by a judge sitting alone may explain this increase."

Appeal cases
Decisions by the UEFA disciplinary court of first instance, the Control and Disciplinary Body, were upheld in 25 appeal cases (57 per cent), and amended in seven cases (16 per cent). The appeals procedure in the remaining 12 cases was resolved by means of Article 55 in the UEFA disciplinary regulations. This states that if the requests of the parties are identical, the UEFA Appeals Body will comply with the request, provided it is not obviously inappropriate.

Red cards
The largest number of disciplinary cases arose from red cards, of which there were 291 in UEFA matches last season, compared with 301 in 2002/03. This was followed by actions brought for lack of order and discipline in a stadium (187, compared with 220 in 2002/03) and improper conduct by a team (110 – 117 in 2002/03).

Yellow cards
The average number of cards per match in the UEFA club competitions fell by five per cent to 3.5. More yellow cards were again issued in the Intertoto Cup than in the other club competitions (392 in 116 matches), although the amount is 11 per cent lower than for 2002/03 (438 in 114 matches)

Increase
The number of red cards increased in the club competitions, with an average of one dismissal for every four matches – 15 per cent up on the previous season. The increase in the Champions League was as high as 64 per cent. There was a clear rise in the number of yellow/red cards in Champions League games (32 in 205 games in 2003/04, 16 in 237 games in 2002/03). Red cards for assault also increased and represented 21 per cent of cases.

Income from fines
Finally, fine income rose slightly, by €12,140 (0.5 per cent) to €2,506,376. As in the past, most fines were for less than €6,500 (78 per cent), although three fines in excess of €65,230 were imposed.

Click herefor the UEFA 2003/04 disciplinary report in English.