UEFA have ordered the partial closure of CSKA Moscow’s stadium for their next Champions League match after an investigation into racist chanting directed against Manchester City’s Yaya Toure when City played their Champions League tie there on October 23.
One of the single-tiered ends of Arena Khimki will be closed when Bayern Munich visit on November 27.
The punishment is the first stage of three possible tiered punishments. A second offence would lead to a full stadium closure – a game played behind closed doors – coupled with a fine of 50,000 Euros, and a third would mean the expulsion of CSKA from European competition.
City midfielder Yaya Toure said he was furious after being targeted with racial abuse by a section of the home crowd when City travelled to Moscow to play CSKA and reported this to the referee.
Under guidelines issued in 2009, a public announcement would then have been made warning fans to desist.
Romanian referee Ovidiu Hategan filed a report which was later used to absolve him of blame for not following procedure when it emerged that he had told the fourth official about Toure’s reported abuse. The fourth official then asked the venue director to read out a message for the spectators but this was not carried out.
The venue director has subsequently been relieved of his duties.
CSKA, who visit Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium in their next Champions League tie on November 5, have the right to appeal against UEFA’s sanction.