Thursday, July 26, 2007

File:FK Partizan.png

FK Partizan of Serbia have been kicked out of this season’s UEFA Cup after crowd trouble during their first qualifying round match against Zrinjski Mostar. They were also fined 50,000 Swiss francs. Partizan Belgrade won the 1st Leg 6-1.

Trouble started early in the first half when play was stopped for ten minutes after fans from both teams clashed with riot police and stadium security while throwing rocks and flares at each other. Fans also ripped-up stadium seats. 36 people were injured and six people were arrested.

UEFA‘s reasoning is that Partizan Belgrade have been fined 25 times in 36 matches over the last five years. UEFA have taken a tougher stance on fan violence having kicked out Feyenoord in last season’s UEFA Cup and Legia Warsaw in this season’s Intertoto Cup. Partizan Belgrade have within three days of receiving official notice of this decision to appeal.