UEFA punishes Romania for racism, misconduct by fans

FILE – In this Oct. 14, 2018 file photo Serbia’s goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic walks on the pitch as Romanian fans light flares during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Romania and Serbia on the National Arena stadium in Bucharest, Romania. Romania will have to play its next competitive game behind closed doors and its soccer association was fined by UEFA for racist chants and banners and other misconduct of fans at the Nations League game. (Vadim Ghirda, file/Associated Press)

NYON, Switzerland — Romania will have to play its next competitive game behind closed doors and its soccer association has been fined by UEFA for racist chants and banners at a Nations League game.

UEFA says the Romanian soccer association was fined 50,000 euros ($57,080) for the racist behavior of its supporters and another 23,000 euros ($26,250) for fans invading the field and lighting fireworks at the national stadium in Bucharest.

UEFA previously said the “racist behavior” included incidents targeting Romanian neighbor Hungary when the national team played to a 0-0 draw against Serbia on Oct 14.

Romania fans also held up a banner linking refugees to terrorism, and a video posted on social media showed fans chanting a slogan supporting Serbia’s territorial claim to Kosovo.

Romania hosts Lithuania in the UEFA Nations League on Nov. 17.

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