FC Spartak Moskva (Setting off of fireworks; throwing of objects), Decision of 21 September 2017, UEFA Decision

Circumstances of the case

In the 15th minute of the match, between 10-15 flares and Bengal lights were identified in the visiting sector of Spartak Moskva, followed by one rocket that was clearly fired from the stands in the direction of the pitch. The rocket followed the length of the pitch in direction of the center circle were the referee was positioned, missing the referee. According to the referee, the rocket missed him by approximately 5 meters. Following the incident, the match was immediately stopped for 2mins and 30 secs. In the 59th minute of the match, several red and white flares were again seen in the Spartak Moskva sector at the moment the away team scored 0-1. At the same time, some plastic cups were thrown on the pitch from the same North stands. The club argued that the incidents were caused by breaches of the host-team, allowing a large amount of unauthorized persons to get into the visiting sectors. Therefore, the missile which was shot into the direction of the referee was fired by a supporter of the club which was not among the club’s supporters who had received the tickets from the official ticket quota

Legal framework Article 16 (2) UEFA Disciplinary Regulations.

Decision

The CEDB stresses that an act such as firing fireworks onto the pitch has to be regarded as particularly dangerous and as a malicious act of violence and hooliganism which has no place in football in general and in the UEFA competitions such as the UEFA Champions League in particular. The CEDB further emphasized that any potential misconduct from the match organizer does not discharge the club from its responsibility regarding the behaviour of its supporters. Moreover, the CEDB could not concur with the differentiation made by the club between supporters who had purchased match tickets from the official ticket quota allocated to the club and “other supporters”, who had purchased their tickets through other channels. Bearing in mind the long previous record of the club and the seriousness of the incidents, the CEDB considers that, as a warning to future events linked to the conduct of the club´s supporters at away matches, a strong sanction is required, and deems that 60´000€ shall be deemed as the adequate disciplinary measure. In addition, the club is banned from selling tickets it its supporters for the next UEFA competition away match.

Chairman: Partl Thomas (AUT)

Vice-Chairmen:
Berzi Sándor (HUN)
Hansen Jim Stjerne (DEN)

Members:
Gea Tomás (AND)
Larumbe Beain Kepa (ESP)
Leal João (POR)
Řepka Rudolf (CZE)