UEFA orders partial closure of FK Partizan’s stadium, Ħamrun fans allowed entry

The UEFA Disciplinary Commission has fined heavily Partizan Belgrade while ordering the club to close a sector or sectors of a total of 2,000 seats for this Thursday’s game against Ħamrun Spartans.

Serbian giants Partizan Belgrade were waiting anxiously on the UEFA Disciplinary Commission’s ruling after their supporters’ behaviour in last week’s tie against AEK Larnaca was reported by the UEFA delegates.

According to the UEFA report, Partizan’s fans are accused of discriminatory chants towards AEK Larnaca player Nenad Tomovic, formerly of arch-rivals Red Star Belgrade.

Also after the game, Partizan’s players were harassed by their own fans who demanded their shirts after they were eliminated from the Europa League following their 2-2 against the Cypriot side.

Clashes between the police and the fans in the eastern stand of the Partizan stadium were also reported.

As a result, UEFA fined Partizan Belgrade 20,000 euro and order the partial closure of their stadium. The Serbian side has to inform UEFA which sector will be closed, which shall consist of at least 2,000 seats – all of the home fans.

Moreover, Partizan Belgrade has to display a banner with the wording “#NoToRacism”, portraying the UEFA logo on it as well.

The European football governing body found Partizan Belgrade’s fan guilty for blocking public passageways, throwing of objects and invasion of the of the play. All this amount to a total of 38,500 euro which the Serbian club has to pay.

A large contingent of Ħamrun Spartans’ fans is expected to travel with the club to support their heroes in a historic match as the Maltese side is one round away from reaching the group stages.

The Spartans enjoyed a huge following in their away games in this competition so far as they travelled to Armenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Bulgaria.