CSKA Moscow vs Manchester City: Match will be played behind closed doors

Fixture one of three that will have no fans in attendance after Uefa punishment

Martyn Ziegler
Friday 03 October 2014 17:17 BST
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Russian club CSKA Moscow have been ordered to play their next three home European matches behind closed doors - including against Manchester City in the Champions League on October 21 - as punishment for racist behaviour by fans.

UEFA has also banned CSKA from selling tickets to supporters for the return fixture again City at the Etihad Stadium on November 5 and fined the club 200,000 euros.

It follows the fans' conduct in the Russian side's Champions League defeat by Roma, which led to CSKA being charged with racist behaviour by UEFA for the third time in a year.

The Russian champions were also charged by UEFA with crowd disturbances after clashes with police forced the game to to be halted for several minutes during Roma's 5-1 win.

Flares were thrown onto the pitch, scuffles broke out in the stands and a banner containing a racial slur was also unfurled.

UEFA said in a statement: "CSKA Moscow has been ordered to play its next three UEFA competition matches as host club behind closed doors. The Russian team has also been fined 200,000 euros.

"In addition, CSKA Moscow is banned from selling tickets to its supporters for the next UEFA Champions League 2014/2015 group stage competition matches which the club will play as the visiting team."

CSKA have already been punished twice over incidents of racism by UEFA in the past year.

Last year's Champions League clash against City at the Khimki Arena was overshadowed by racist chanting aimed at Yaya Toure.

They were hit with a partial stadium closure but a repeat offence led to Tuesday's game against Bayer

n Munich being played behind closed doors.

City manager Manuel Pellegrini said: "My personal thinking is football should always be with fans. I don't think it is good to play in an empty stadium, not good for anyone.

"I understand a local team have a little (problem) with their fans but all the people deserve to go to the stadium. I don't know what will happen."

A stadium closure could have implications for City supporters planning to travel, but the club themselves have not sold any tickets or official packages for the fixture.

PA

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