UEFA closes part of Russia World Cup stadium because of racism
Friday 8 December 2017 17:57, UK
UEFA has partially shut down a Russia World Cup stadium because of racist behaviour.
The Zenit Arena, home to Zenit St Petersburg, has been ordered to close an entire sector in which supporters displayed a "discriminatory banner", which allegedly paid tribute to convicted Serbian war criminal and mass murderer Ratko Mladic.
The breach of UEFA disciplinary regulations occurred in the Europa League group-stage game against Macedonian side Vardar Skopje last month.
The UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) charged Zenit on two counts, racist behaviour and setting off fireworks.
The CEDB said: "The club shall close the entire sector where the discriminatory banner was displayed. In this regard, FC Zenit is ordered to inform UEFA about the exact sector at the earliest opportunity, at the latest ten days before the next home match."
Zenit have also been instructed to display a banner with the wording '#EqualGame' and the UEFA logo on it above the specified sector of the stadium.
The Russian club have also been fined 10,000 euros (£8,800).
