By Samindra Kunti
April 29 – Dutch club Feyenoord faces an UEFA-imposed fine of €50,000 and playing its next European match behind closed doors after a “racist incident” during this season’s Europa League tie between Feyenoord and AS Roma.
The club from Rotterdam, founded in 1908 as Wilhelmina, enjoys massive national support as one of Holland’s three traditional clubs, but crowd control has been a problem with the fiercely passionate Feyenoord fans.
Feyenoord fans caused trouble away to Belgian club Standard Liege in the Europa League’s group phase. AS Roma’s 2-1 victory at Rotterdam’s De Kuip Stadium was also overshadowed by crowd incidents. Before kick-off Dutch police detained 22 fans, including five Italians. Some Feyenoord fans wore a T-shirt threatening Roma fans.
During the match, in which two Feyenoord players were sent off, fans threw an inflatable banana on to the pitch, apparently aimed at AS Roma player Gervinho, who comes from the Ivory Coast. The match was suspended several times.
UEFA has not taken kindly to the incidents at De Kuip Stadium and is now set to hand Feyenoord a fine of €50,000 euros for the ‘racist incident’ as well as ban fans from Feyenoord’s next European home game.
On Monday the club said the fine and spectator ban had been confirmed. However, on Tuesday Feyenoord issued a second statement saying the punishment is not definitive and has yet to be confirmed by UEFA’s disciplinary and ethical committee. “It is not clear when the final ruling will be made,” the club statement said.
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