UEFA announced on Tuesday that both teams will have to close part of their respective stadiums for their home matches in the Champions League round of 16 due to racist behavior by supporters during their last Champions League matches. Additionally, both clubs have been fined, with Olympiakos receiving a 30,000 euros fine and Zenit facing a 40,000 euros fine.
Uefa has levied four charges against Olympiakos, including “racist behavior” by certain supporters during the match against Anderlecht on December 10, “insufficient organization” of the match, “installation of pyrotechnic devices,” and “the use of lasers.” As a result, Olympiakos will have to close the lower third of the north stand of its stadium for the match against Manchester United on February 25, 2014.
For Zenit, UEFA cited “racist behavior through a banner” by certain supporters during the match against Austria Vienna on December 11, “the throwing of pyrotechnic devices,” and “disturbance caused in the crowd.” Consequently, Zenit will have to close part of its stadium, particularly the section reserved for ultras, for the match against Borussia Dortmund on February 25, 2014. Both clubs have three days to appeal their sanctions from the receipt of the written verdict.
