Trabzonspor awarded fan ban

Turkish club Trabzonspor must play their UEFA Cup first round, first-leg match against Spanish opponents CA Osasuna on 14 September behind closed doors as a result of crowd incidents at their second qualifying round second-leg game against Cypriots APOEL FC on 24 August.

Probation period
UEFA's Control and Disciplinary Body decided today to order Trabzonspor to play their next two home UEFA club competition matches behind closed doors - with one of these games deferred for a probation period of two years.

Body findings
The UEFA body established that, in the 27th minute of the tie that Trabzonspor won 1-0 to progress to the UEFA Cup first round, a rocket was thrown by local supporters from one stand into another and then thrown back. The rocket was extinguished, but caused panic among spectators. Two bottles were thrown and a rocket was sent towards visiting fans during the half-time break. In the 87th minute, a water bottle was hurled from the main stand in the direction of the fourth official, landing next to him on the running track and a smoke bomb was ignited in the 88th minute, resulting in smoke spreading over one stand.

Police evacuation
After the final whistle, a number of bottles were thrown from various sectors in the direction of visiting supporters. Police in the away fan sector evacuated spectators to the upper part of this section of the stand. It emerged that four away fans were injured as a result of stones and objects thrown by Trabzonspor followers.

Order and security
UEFA based its verdict on the fact that the host club is responsible for order and security inside and around the stadium before, during and after the match, and is liable for incidents of any kind, with breaches of this security duty representing an infraction under UEFA's disciplinary regulations. Clubs are also responsible for the conduct of their supporters.

Previous penalties
The UEFA body expressed the particular view that a lack of security controls led to spectators bringing missiles into the stadium. It also took into account previous penalties handed down to the Turkish team for lack of order in the stadium and improper conduct by its supporters.

No supporters
Consequently, no fans will be allowed into the stadium for Trabzonspor's next game. A maximum of 75 people in each club's delegation, including players, may be in the stadium together with accredited journalists, police officers and security agents, and people carrying out a function related to stadium infrastructure. An appeal may be lodged against the verdict by 24.00CET on Friday 8 September.