NYON, Switzerland (AP) — UEFA has punished Champions League participants Olympiakos and Zenit St. Petersburg for the racist behavior of their fans by ordering stadium sections closed at last 16 matches.
UEFA says the lower tier of the north stand at Karaiskakis Stadium will be empty when Olympiakos hosts Manchester United on Feb. 25. The section of Zenit’s Petrovsky Stadium where ultras gather will be closed when Borussia Dortmund visits the same day.
Olympiakos was punished for “racist conduct of supporters” and setting off fireworks during a Dec. 10 group match against Anderlecht. UEFA fined the Greek club $41,250.
UEFA had charged Zenit for fans displaying a racist banner, throwing fireworks and crowd disturbances at Austria Vienna on Dec. 11. Zenit was fined $55,000.
The clubs can appeal the sanctions.
