CSKA Moscow have stadium ban reduced on appeal

Russian club have to play just one more game behind closed doors

Manchester City and CSKA Moscow with an anti-racism banner (GETTY IMAGES)

CSKA Moscow have had their punishment for racist behaviour by fans reduced on appeal by UEFA, meaning they only have to play one more Champions League game behind closed doors.

The Russian club were earlier this month ordered to play their next three European home matches in an empty Arena Khimki as punishment for the crowd trouble in a game away to Roma.

UEFA announced in a statement on Tuesday that CSKA's appeal had "partially been upheld" and the third match of their ban had been "suspended for a probationary period of five years".

With the first of those games having been CSKA's meeting with Manchester City last week, the Russian side have only Roma on November 25 to play behind closed doors.

UEFA's appeals body also ruled the initial 200,000 euros (£157,621) fine handed to CSKA should be reduced to 100,000 euros (£78,814), but the club remain banned from selling tickets to their fans for their remaining two away games in the group, including against City at the Etihad Stadium next Wednesday.

CSKA's clash with Roma last month, which the Italians won 5-1, had be halted for several minutes because of crowd trouble. CSKA fans threw flares on to the pitch, scuffles broke out in the stands and a banner containing a racial slur was also unfurled.

It was the third time in a year CSKA had been charged with racist behaviour by UEFA.

CSKA's home game with City provoked controversy when 200 to 300 people supporting the Russians were inside the stadium despite the ban, but UEFA decided no action would be taken.

PA