UEFA sanction Dynamo Kiev over racism

UEFA on Wednesday ordered Dynamo Kiev to play their next three European matches behind closed doors and fined the Ukrainian team 100,000 euros for their fans’ racist behaviour during a match against Chelsea.

UEFA’s charges against Dynamo Kiev related to “racist behaviour … crowd disturbances (and) stairways blocked” during the goalless draw against Chelsea on October 20 at the Olympic Stadium.

The third match is suspended for a probationary period of three years, UEFA said.

The sanction means that there will no fans present when Dynamo Kiev host Maccabi Tel-Aviv in their final Group D match on December 9.

The Ukrainians currently sit third in Group D on eight points, but they remain in contention for the knock-out stages should they notch up a victory over the Israelis. Chelsea and Porto are tied on 10 points apiece atop the group.

Dynamo were fined 15,000 euros ($17,000) by European football’s governing body earlier this year following their fans’ racist behaviour during an Europa League match against Everton.

The Ukrainian side were also punished for setting off fireworks and for insufficient organisation during the 5-2 second leg win in March. UEFA also ordered the partial closure of the stadium for the first leg of the quarter-final against Fiorentina.