The fallout from last week’s clash between supporters of AS Roma and CSKA Moscow during their Champions League Group E encounter in Rome could see both sides fined by UEFA.
UEFA has confirmed that both the Italian and Russian club will fall under investigation for the behavior of their fans at this fixture, with a decision from the governing body coming at the end of next week.
During the second half of Roma’s 5-1 victory over CSKA Moscow, travelling supporters attacked stewards and threw lit fireworks into the Roma section. The crowd violence led to the intervention of Italian riot police and eventually to the arrest of five Russian fans.
In all, thirteen stewards needed medical treatment for injuries and one police officer was left with a broken jaw.
There were also reports of two injured CSKA Moscow fans prior to the match, after the supporters broke through a security barrier to confront Roma’s ‘Ultras’.
A statement from UEFA reads: “Disciplinary proceedings have been opened against: Roma for setting off/throwing fireworks or missiles (art. 16(2) (b) and (c) of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations) and insufficient organization (art 38 Safety & Security regulation).”
“CSKA for racist behavior of supporters (art. 14 of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations), crowd disturbance (art. 16 (2) (h) of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations) and setting off/throwing of fireworks and missiles (art. 16 (2) (b) and (c) of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations).”
“The case will be dealt by the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body on October 3.”
It is expected that CSKA Moscow will be punished severely for what is the latest in a series of incidents involving their supporters.
Last season supporters of the Russian champions were found guilty of racist chants during matches against Manchester City and Viktoria Plzen.
Yesterday it was learned that the Russian club is likely to introduce banning orders and take legal action against fans to stop their behavior at Champions League matches.
CSKA Moscow general director Roman Babayev said: “We are actively working with our supporters, and we are seeing the results in Russia, as our fans have practically stopped using flares at games.”
“However, these agreements are not working during European matches. The supporters are being too emotional and are wanting to prove a point.:
“The situation has become critical in recent times. What happened in Rome was just unacceptable. This is a massive problem We are expecting to be seriously punished by UEFA.”
