UEFA orders Dynamo Kiev to play behind closed doors over racism

Photo credit: AFP.

UEFA on Wednesday ordered Dynamo Kiev to play their next three European matches behind closed doors and fined the Ukrainian team 100,000 euros for their fans’ racist behavior during a match against Chelsea.

UEFA’s charges against Dynamo Kiev related to “racist behavior… crowd disturbances (and) stairways blocked” during the goalless draw against Chelsea on Oct. 20 at the Olympic Stadium.

The third match is suspended for a probationary period of three years, UEFA said.

The sanction means that there will no fans present when Dynamo Kiev host Maccabi Tel-Aviv in their final Group D match on Dec. 9.

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The Ukrainians currently sit third in Group D on eight points, but they remain in contention for the knockout stages should they notch up a victory over the Israelis. Chelsea and Porto are tied on 10 points apiece at the top of the group.

Dynamo were fined 15,000 euros ($17,000) by European soccer’s governing body earlier this year following their fans’ racist behavior during an Europa League match against Everton.

The Ukrainian side were also punished for setting off fireworks and for insufficient organization during the 5-2 second leg win in March. UEFA also ordered the partial closure of the stadium for the first leg of the quarterfinal against Fiorentina.