UEFA has fined Sigma Olomouc €20,000 and conditionally closed a section of their stadium for fan misbehavior during a Conference League match against Lausanne.
The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has imposed a fine of €20,000 (approximately 484,000 CZK) on Sigma Olomouc due to the misbehavior of fans during the first leg of their Conference League knockout stage match against Lausanne. In addition to the financial penalty, UEFA has placed a conditional closure on a section of the stadium for their next home match in international competitions, effective for a two-year probationary period as outlined on UEFA's official website.
The sanctions stem from two significant offenses committed by the fans. Half of the total fine is attributed to objects being thrown onto the pitch, while the other half is due to fans igniting fireworks. Additionally, UEFA conditionally closed the southern stands where the most vocal supporters, referred to as the 'kotel,' are located, as a response to this use of banned pyrotechnics. This highlights ongoing concerns regarding crowd control and safety at football matches.
A week ago, Sigma Olomouc played to a 1-1 draw against Lausanne in their opening leg of the first round of the Conference League knockout phase. The return match is scheduled for this evening at the home stadium of the Swiss team. The outcomes of these events likely raise questions about the accountability of clubs for fan behavior and the broader implications for fan engagement and safety in the sport.
