Stadium closure decision overturned for Group E clash in Trnava on October 10; Show Racism The Red Card Wales say Slovakia should have been hit with points deduction
Thursday 26 September 2019 13:43, UK
Wales fans will be allowed to attend their European Qualifier in Trnava as Slovakia have won their appeal against the game being played behind closed doors.
The Football Association of Wales was told on Monday that the national team's 2,137-strong following would be barred from the Group E fixture at the Stadion Antona Malatinskeho on October 10.
UEFA said the game would be played in an empty stadium to punish Slovakia over racist chanting from supporters during their 2-1 victory in Hungary last month.
But the FAW tweeted on Thursday: "Slovakia have successfully appealed against the stadium closure for the European qualifying match against @Cymru in Trnava on October 10.
"As a result, Wales fans will now be able to attend the match."
Anti-discrimination campaigners Show Racism The Red Card Wales said the success of Slovakia's appeal "made a mockery" of the initial decision and suggested a points penalty would have been a more suitable sanction.
The organisation's campaign coordinator Jason Webber said: "You could argue that a points deduction is more effective than a full or partial stadium closure, because what does that do anyway really?
"A points deduction would make a stronger stance and would mitigate the problems that had been created for the away fans."
The Slovakian federation (SFZ) said that as well as the overturning of the stadium ban, the fine had been reduced from €20,000 to €15,000.
The SFZ said the basis of its appeal was that the chanting was "political provocation" rather than racism.
