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Tuesday, January 23 |
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Feyenoord thrown out of UEFA Cup
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FEYENOORD has been thrown out of the UEFA Cup as a penalty for the violent scenes that marred the Dutch club's November group match against Nancy.
Up to 600 Dutch fans ransacked parts of the eastern French city of Nancy before the November 30 game, which Nancy won 3-0 to join Feyenoord in the last 32 of the cup.
The match was then temporarily halted when visiting supporters ran riot in the stands, raining down seats on stadium stewards.
Three supporters of the Dutch club subsequently received prison sentences ranging from two weeks to a month for their part in the disturbances.
Feyenoord was due to face English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur next month in the last 32 of the tournament.
UEFA, the European governing body, said it would announce its decision about the London club's opponents next week.
"This is a huge slap in the face for the club," Feyenoord financial director Onno Jacobs said.
"It will have enormous consequences, both sporting and financial.
"We'll lose ticket receipts, TV rights and the possibility of progressing in the competition.
"Our true supporters are the real victims of this decision.
"They are paying the price for the faults of individuals who have nothing to do with the club and from whom Feyenoord has always distanced itself."
UEFA said in a statement that it had decided to toughen the original sentence against the club.
"The UEFA appeals body has considerably toughened the sanction against the Dutch club Feyenoord following the crowd disturbances by its fans at the UEFA Cup group stage match between French club AS Nancy-Lorraine and Feyenoord on 30 November 2006," UEFA said.
"The UEFA appeals body has excluded the club from all UEFA competitions for the season 2006-2007, including the current UEFA Cup in which the club had progressed from the group stage to face England's Tottenham Hotspur FC in the round of 32.
"The initial fine of 200,000 Swiss francs ($203,000) was reduced to 100,000 Swiss francs.
"The decision follows an appeal made by UEFA (allowed under article 50 of the disciplinary regulations where 'the parties directly concerned and UEFA have the power to appeal') after an initial decision by the UEFA control and disciplinary body.
"Their decision had consisted of a fine of 200,000 Swiss francs and a suspended sentence of two matches behind closed doors, on probation for three years.
"The appeal by Feyenoord against the original sanction of the UEFA control and disciplinary body was also rejected.
"Feyenoord were also ordered to contact AS Nancy-Lorraine regarding settlement of the damages."
Feyenoord, which stands to lose around two million euros ($3.2 million) in ticket sales for the tie against Spurs, can now appeal to the Court of Arbitration of Sport to have the decision overturned.
Feyenoord, the 2001-2002 UEFA Cup winner, has been cursed by violent fans in recent years.
In 2005, the club had to play one match behind closed doors after trouble broke out in a tie against Sporting Lisbon, with the Portuguese club's goalkeeper, Ricardo, injured by a missile thrown from the stands.
Dutch league matches with bitter Amsterdam rival Ajax also attract violent elements.
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posted by ^%&^
@ 7:59 AM
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