UEFA have ordered the Slovak Football Association to play its next home EURO 2004 qualifying match behind closed doors as punishment for the conduct of its spectators at last October’s Group 7 qualifier against England.
The verdict follows appeals against the initial decision taken by the UEFA Control and Disciplinary Committee. Both the Slovakian Footballl Association and UEFA appealed against the original sentence, which resulted in the imposition of a €40,000 fine.
During the match, England’s black players were racially abused while many England fans complained that inept organisation at the game, contributed to the trouble involving police and England fans.
“After having examined all the documents of the case and the appeals submitted to it, particularly relating to the racist behaviour of supporters, the UEFA Appeals Body decided that Slovakia would have to play its next UEFA EURO 2004 home qualifier against Liechtenstein, scheduled on 2 April 2003, behind closed doors,” a UEFA statement said.
In addition, the SFS has now been fined €14,000.
