October 23 – UEFA are reported to be considering whether to join Tottenham Hotspur in launching an investigation into how more than 200 Red Star Belgrade fans “illegally” bought tickets for their side’s away Champions League fixture on Tuesday despite a blanket ban for racism.
Despite the UEFA sanction, a group of away supporters were able to make their way into one end of the Tottenham ground before being segregated from home fans by stewards.
Tottenham were responsible for ticketing and segregation so could in theory face punishment from UEFA. But there is unlikely to be any severe penalty if the club can show they took steps to stop tickets getting into the wrong hands.
Spurs deliberately stopped short of putting tickets for the match on general sale because of fears that Serbian fans would buy them.
“Red Star supporters illegally obtained individual tickets on Level 5 and made their way around to one section of the stadium in order to congregate as a group,” said a Tottenham spokesman. “Stewards and police contained the group as it was too large a number to eject.
“We have launched a full investigation in order to understand how tickets have been acquired. We shall take the strongest possible action against any individual found to have sold their ticket on.”
UEFA banned Red Star’s fans from attending the encounter after being found guilty of racism in a qualifying game against HJK Helsinki in Finland in July.
UEFA will now wait for a report from their delegate before deciding whether to independently investigate how Red Star fans got into the match, which their team lost 5-0.
Speaking in the pre-match press conference on Monday, Red Star coach Vladan Milojevic said he was disappointed his side would have no support.
“I absolutely condemn any racist behaviour. On the other hand, I would love to see our supporters here tomorrow. They really do help us, we feel better when they are around,” he said.
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