Saturday 4 October 2014 09:18, UK
Manchester City’s Champions League match at CSKA Moscow on October 21 will be played behind closed doors after the Russian club were punished for the bad behaviour of some of their fans in Italy a fortnight ago.
CSKA have been fined and ordered to play their next three home matches behind closed doors by UEFA, and they have also been banned from selling tickets to fans for the return match at the Etihad Stadium on November 5.
The sanctions follow their 5-1 loss at Roma last month, which led to CSKA being charged with racist behaviour by European football’s governing body for the third time in a year.
UEFA say CSKA's fans were found guilty of a series of offences including "racist behaviour of supporters, crowd disturbance, setting off/throwing of fireworks and missiles" during the match on 17 September.
And a statement read: “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.
“The European governing body has a zero-tolerance policy towards racism and discrimination on the field and in the stands.
"All forms of racist behaviour are considered serious offences against the disciplinary regulations and are punished with the most severe sanctions."
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 marred by racist chanting aimed at City midfielder Yaya Toure.
CSKA were hit with a partial stadium closure but a repeat offence led to Tuesday's game against Bayern 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."
CSKA’s press spokesman Sergei Aksenov said: “Of course we are really upset with the decision.
"Thanks to a few people, the festival of football that is the Champions League, has been turned into a series of ghost matches, as these matches without supporters are already being called.
“It's all very sad and upsetting.
"We need to wait to hear the reasoning for their decision. Only then will it become clear if the punishment is fair and whether we may try to launch an appeal."
