Champions League: CSKA Moscow fans charged with racist behaviour

CSKA Moscow fans have been charged with racist behaviour at a UEFA Champions League match for the third time in a year.

The Russian champions were also charged by UEFA with crowd disorder after clashes with police forced play to be halted during their 5-1 loss at Roma last week, the governing body said in a statement.

Both teams will face sanctions for their fans lighting flares and throwing missiles during the game.

The match was halted for two minutes during the second half as CSKA fans clashed with riot police inside the Olympic Stadium.

Roma have also been charged for "insufficient organisation" of the match under UEFA rules which make home clubs liable for security.

This is the third time in five Champions League matches CSKA’s fans have been charged with racist behaviour.

UEFA already ordered the club to play Bayern Munich in an empty Arena Khimki stadium next Tuesday as an escalating punishment for offenses committed last season.

Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure was subjected to monkey noises and gestures during a Champions League match last October.

Last December, UEFA charged CSKA for fans displaying far-right symbols at a match at Viktoria Plzen, and imposed the stadium closure at its first home Champions League game this season.

Premier League champions City have again been drawn in the same Champions League group as CSKA this season and are scheduled to play in Russia on October 21.