UEFA Sanctions CSKA Sofia Over Fan Misconduct and Nazi Salutes

UEFA has issued severe sanctions against CSKA Sofia following serious incidents during their Europa League preliminary round first-leg match against Derry City, held last week in Northern Ireland. The Bulgarian club has been fined a total of €50,000 and will be prohibited from selling tickets to its fans for their next European away match.

The disturbances were significant enough to cause a 15-minute interruption to the game, which CSKA Sofia eventually won 2-1. UEFA’s disciplinary actions stem from multiple infractions, including the throwing of objects, acts of vandalism, and widespread disorder caused by the visiting supporters.

Fan Behavior Leads to Immediate Penalties

The immediate consequence of these sanctions is that CSKA Sofia will not be able to sell tickets for its upcoming away fixture against Qarabag in the subsequent qualification round. This aims to prevent further incidents and ensure fan safety and proper conduct at European matches.

A more serious aspect of the sanctions addresses racist and discriminatory behavior. UEFA confirmed that some CSKA Sofia fans were seen performing Nazi salutes in the stands. For this specific violation, an additional one-match away ticket sales ban has been imposed. This particular ban is suspended for a probationary period of two years, meaning it will only be activated if further similar violations occur within that timeframe.

Incidents During the Match

Footage shared on social media platforms reportedly showed a CSKA Sofia supporter performing a Nazi salute while Derry City fans displayed an anti-fascist banner. Tensions escalated further when a group of Bulgarian supporters attempted to breach the barrier to reach the opposing section, prompting intervention from stewards.

The escalating situation forced some Derry City fans, including families with children, to move onto the pitch to distance themselves from the areas of conflict. This highlights the severity of the disorder and the potential danger it posed to match attendees.

Additional Fines and Reparations

Beyond the club-level sanctions, a CSKA Sofia official was fined €5,000 for violating disciplinary regulations concerning conduct. The Bulgarian club is also required to compensate Derry City for damages caused to their stadium during the incidents. This covers material damages and any costs incurred due to the fan behavior.

Interestingly, the Irish club, Derry City, also faced penalties. They were fined €20,000 for their supporters’ behavior, which included disturbances culminating in an invasion of the pitch. This indicates that UEFA’s disciplinary committee investigated and sanctioned misconduct from both sides, though the focus of the more severe penalties remained on CSKA Sofia due to the nature of the offenses.

Summary of Sanctions

This series of penalties underscores UEFA’s commitment to tackling fan violence, racism, and discriminatory behavior in football, aiming to ensure a safe and respectful environment for all participants and spectators.

Source: https://www.tuttomercatoweb.com/calcio-estero/saluti-nazisti-disordini-spalti-uefa-punisce-cska-sofia-comportamento-tifosi-2255970