Euro test over Toure taunts
THE shameful actions of CSKA Moscow fans have left UEFA facing the most high- profi le test yet of their new disciplinary regulations regarding crowd behaviour. problem, it is a human problem. These new regulations have only been in existence for a matter of weeks but we have already seen them used by the disciplinary bodies.
“We are waiting for the reports from the referee and the match delegate as they are our eyes and ears at the match.”
The tough new sanctions are on three levels. For a fi rst offence, clubs will face a minimum of a partial stadium closure for a fi rst offence.
For a second offence there is the sanction of playing one match behind closed doors as well as a fi ne of around £ 42,000.
If the racist behaviour continues, clubs can face a stadium closure, a points deduction, or even disqualifi cation from the competition.
Stamping out racist behaviour in Eastern Europe, and Russia in particular, is no easy task, however. Racist abuse is common at Russian league matches every weekend and it is not even widely reported because it is not regarded as unusual. And there seems no great appetite to do much about it from the authorities there. Three examples underline the depth of the problem. A section of Zenit St Petersburg supporters recently released a manifesto calling on the club not to sign black players.
Police released a fan who threw a banana at former Brazil international Roberto Carlos because they did not know what offence to charge him with. And then there was the case of a player who was red- carded and banned for two games for gesturing with his middle fi nger at Spartak Moscow fans who had racially abused him during a game. The club’s punishment was a derisory £ 10,000.
It is understood Russian authorities have introduced banning orders for fans guilty of racist behaviour, and educational videos. So far it seems to have had little effect.
Toure’s warning that players and fans could boycott the World Cup in 2018 will surely prompt a step- change from the Russians. And UEFA can lead the way with tough sanctions on CSKA.