Zurich, Oct 4, 2013: The FIFA Disciplinary Committee, 27 September 2013, notified the Football Federation of Ukraine (FFU) of sanctions imposed at the meeting held earlier today.
In the preliminary competition match for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ between Ukraine and San Marino, played in Lviv, Ukraine on 6 September 2013, both the referee and the match commissioner reported several incidents involving pyrotechnical devices. Moreover, FIFA was informed by FARE (Football Against Racism Europe), by means of a report submitted by the FARE observer for the aforementioned match, that several racist and discriminatory incidents were apparently perpetrated by local supporters during the match, in particular by displaying neo-Nazi banners and by making “monkey noises and gestures” as well as Nazi salutes.
Following the opening of disciplinary proceedings on 11 September 2013, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee analyzed the match officials’ reports, the report from the FARE observer, as well as the position of the FFU.
The committee agreed that the offensive, denigratory and discriminatory actions of a group of Ukrainian supporters were shameful and a clear breach of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC). In addition, the pyrotechnical devices, which can pose considerable threats to personal safety, are not to be tolerated.
After taking into account the full circumstances of the case, and particularly given the gravity of the incidents, the committee decided that the next home match of the “A” representative team of Ukraine in the preliminary competition for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ (Ukraine v. Poland on 11 October 2013) would be played without spectators.
Moreover, the committee decided that the “A” representative team of Ukraine would be banned from playing in the Arena Lviv stadium as from today and for the whole duration of the preliminary competition for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™.
Finally, the committee also decided to impose a fine of CHF 45,000.
FIFA strongly condemns all forms of racism in football. All forms of discrimination will not be tolerated and will receive a strong response from the relevant FIFA authorities.
Article 58 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, which is also applicable regardless of the question of culpable conduct, clearly sets out the minimum sanctions at FIFA’s disposal in the event of discriminatory behaviour.
The Disciplinary Committee also recalled the resolution on the fight against racism and discrimination approved at the recent FIFA Congress, which advocated the need for stricter application of sanctions.
Peru also sanctioned to play next official match without spectators for crowd disturbance incidents
The FIFA Disciplinary Committee today, 27 September 2013, notified the Peruvian Football Association (FPF) of sanctions imposed at the meeting held earlier today.
In the preliminary competition match for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ between Peru and Uruguay, played in Lima, Peru on 6 September 2013, the match officials reported several very serious incidents of improper conduct committed by local fans.
Following the opening of disciplinary proceedings on 9 September 2013, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee analyzed the match officials’ reports, as well as the position of the FPF.
In conclusion, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, taking into account once more the gravity of the circumstances, decided that the next home match of the “A” representative team of Peru in the preliminary competition for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ (Peru v. Bolivia on 15 October 2013) would be played without spectators.
Finally, the committee also imposed a fine of CHF 20,000 against the FPF.
In addition to the above sanctions, the FFU and the FPF have both been warned as to their future conduct, and should such incidents occur again, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee would be left with no other option than to impose harsher sanctions against these associations, which could go as far as a match forfeit, a points deduction or disqualification from a competition. The costs of each case will also be borne by the two associations.
According to article 67 par. 1 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the home association is liable for improper conduct among spectators, regardless of the question of culpable conduct.
According to article 96 par. 1 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, any type of proof may be produced, and article 96 par. 3 provides for a non-exhaustive list of admissible evidence.
The committee also wishes to underline that, whilst disciplinary infringements are prosecuted ex officio, any person can report conduct that he or she considers incompatible with the regulations of FIFA to the judicial bodies (art.108 pars1 and 2 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code). —- FIFA/ Photo © Getty Images
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