UEFA fines Red Star 83,500 euros, closes sector 3 north
UEFA's disciplinary body has activated the suspended measure from August: sector 3 of the north stand at Marakana stays closed for the November 5 match against Inter Escaldes.
Sector 3 of the north stand at the “Rajko Mitic” stadium will be closed on November 5. UEFA’s disciplinary body fined Crvena Zvezda (Red Star) a total of 83,500 euros over fan behavior at the match against Copenhagen, and at the same time activated the suspended measure handed down two months ago. The decision became known on the morning of October 28.
What was Red Star punished for?
The match in question was the second round of the Conference League, Red Star - Copenhagen, played on October 22 and finished 2-2. UEFA charges the fans with three offenses: racist or discriminatory behavior, the use of pyrotechnics, and the transmission of messages not suitable for a sporting event.
The statement does not say which message was at issue. There is a single, combined fine, and it comes to 83,500 euros.
What does the activated suspended measure mean?
Red Star received the suspended sanction on August 25, after the match against Viktoria Plzen. The disciplinary body has now activated it, so it is served at the next home European match. UEFA explains it in the statement this way:
“This means that part of the ‘Rajko Mitic’ stadium, namely sector 3 of the north stand, will be closed during the next UEFA competition match in which Crvena Zvezda will be the host.”
That match is Red Star - Inter Escaldes, on November 5 at 6:45 p.m. The stadium therefore cannot be filled to capacity, but only one sector of the north stand is closed, not the whole stand.
What happens if the incidents are repeated?
Along with the closure of sector 3, UEFA also imposed a new suspended sanction with a two-year probation period. If incidents recur in that period, the north stand will be closed for one more match.
In the Conference League so far, Red Star lost in Lugano 3-2 (October 15) and drew 2-2 with Copenhagen, which is one point after two rounds. The remaining schedule:
- November 5, 6:45 p.m.: Red Star - Inter Escaldes (home, sector 3 closed)
- November 26, 9:00 p.m.: Gent - Red Star
- December 10, 6:45 p.m.: Iberia - Red Star
- December 17, 9:00 p.m.: Red Star - Trabzonspor
After Inter Escaldes, the next home European match is against Trabzonspor on December 17. By then the new suspended sanction will already be in force: another incident within the next two years means the north stand is closed for one more match.
The club’s reaction to the decision was not published in the first reports on the fine. The next date for the fans is November 5, when sector 3 will be empty.
