Serbian champions Crvena Zvezda have been hit with a €135,500 UEFA fine following incidents during their Champions League qualifying matches against Israeli club Hapoel Be’er Sheva. The punishment covers several violations connected to the first and second legs, including supporter behavior and organizational problems at the stadium. UEFA also handed Zvezda midfielder Muhamed Abu Fani a three match suspension for European competitions. Crvena Zvezda lost both matches, suffering a 1 0 defeat in the first leg in Hungary before losing 2 0 in Belgrade and being eliminated from the Champions League qualifying route.
The financial punishment consists of several separate fines. The largest penalty, €50,000, was imposed for displaying an inappropriate message that UEFA said damaged the reputation of football. Another €35,000 was imposed over disturbances in the stands, inadequate protection of the pitch and locked emergency exits. Zvezda was also fined €23,250 for objects thrown onto the pitch, €22,000 for blocked passages and stadium sectors, and another €5,250 for pyrotechnics. Together, the penalties total €135,500. The disciplinary decision also affects Abu Fani, who will miss three European matches following his sending off and a physical incident involving an opposing player. Hapoel Be’er Sheva was also punished following the two matches, receiving a total fine of €16,250 for violations including objects thrown onto the pitch and damage to stadium infrastructure. UEFA also instructed Hapoel’s management to contact Crvena Zvezda regarding compensation for the reported material damage.
For Crvena Zvezda, the punishment adds to the disappointment of missing out on the Champions League. The Serbian champions will instead continue their European campaign in the Europa League qualifiers, where they will need to focus on their performances while avoiding further disciplinary problems. The latest decision once again highlights UEFA’s strict approach to pyrotechnics, thrown objects, blocked passages and inappropriate messages. With the Champions League dream already over, Zvezda’s next challenge is to keep its European campaign alive while avoiding another costly setback.
