Circumstances of the case

In the 60th min of the match, the England official Mark Sampson was verbally abusive to the UEFA VD, telling her "You better sit down, you little shit!" After the match, the Referee Liaison Officer was standing outside the referee changing room when the same official shouted aggressively at her: "You’re a fucking disgrace, it’s a fucking shame". He then picked up a metal pillar raising it above his head aggressively before throwing it down hard against the floor, shutting the door to the corridor, saying, "I’m going to close the fucking door in your fucking face". Also, the England player Jade Moore was selected for doping control. Instead of going directly to the Doping Control Room, she went to the team dressing room, followed by the chaperone. The association argues that neither the venue director or referee observer was a match official according to the UEFA regulations, i.e. Art. 15 (1) (d) DR does not apply. The association accepted the use of inappropriate language by its official as well as the metal pole interaction described in the delegate´s report while however pointing to a number of factual discrepancies between statements and the delegate´s report. Finally, Mr. Sampson apologizes for any inappropriate language he used both during and after the game. With regard to the doping control, the failure to go straight from the pitch to the doping control room was the result of an honest mistake following defeat in a semi-final and Ms Moore was only in the dressing room for a very short period of time.

Legal Framework Article 13 UEFA Disciplinary Regulations; Article 15 (1) (d) UEFA Disciplinary Regulations; Article 6 of the UEFA Anti-Doping Regulations.

Decision

The CEDB explained that Art. 15 DR should be understood as an attempt by UEFA to protect officials who, in the context of a match, exercise a function that warrants particular respect. If UEFA would accept that officials act in the aggressive, insulting and insisting manner, then the needed relation of respect will end instantaneously. With regard to the doping-control incident, the CEDB emphasized that it is crucial that every player who is selected to participate in doping control reports to the doping control station immediately - otherwise the accuracy and integrity of the testing procedure is undermined. Regarding the England official, the CEDB deemed that a three match suspension is the adequate disciplinary measure regarding the circumstances of this case. The CEDB further warned the England player for her behaviour.

Chairman: Partl Thomas (AUT)

Vice-Chairmen:
Berzi Sándor (HUN)
Hansen Jim Stjerne (DEN)

Members:
Gea Tomás (AND)
Larumbe Beain Kepa (ESP)
Leal João (POR)
Řepka Rudolf (CZE)

Circumstances of the case

The CEDB noted that the GNK Dinamo supporters displayed a banner in east stand with a "Celtic-cross". Likewise, approximately in the 46th minute into the game, several hundred of the club’s supporters started chanting “Mamiću, cigane, odlazi iz svetinje!” (Translation: “Mamić, you gypsy, get out of our shrine”). The chant was repeated several times during the 46th and 48th minutes into the game. Also six fireworks were lit by the club’s supporters. The club stated regarding the Celtic cross that this was the first time that its supporters have displayed such banner and that as soon as the UEFA Security Officer has noticed the banner and informed, the club’s security officer removed it. Regarding the chants directed against Mr. Mamic, the club explained that this is still used by the group of ultras as an expression of fight against the club’s ex-president, Mr. Zdravko Mamic and that this is not a case of classic racism.

Legal framework Article 16 (2) UEFA Disciplinary Regulations; Article 14 UEFA Disciplinary Regulations.

Decision

Regarding the Celtic cross, the CEDB that this is a symbol used by neo-Nazis worldwide and denotes “the supremacy of the white race”, i.e. a clearly racist symbol. AS regards the chants, the CEDB recalls that the Court of Arbitration for Sport already had the opportunity to examine the nature of this chant in the light of Article 14 DR. It concluded that the chant was of a racist nature. Briefly, supporters by using the term “gypsy” in an insulting manner denigrated hereby an ethnic group, thereby also violating Art. 14 DR. Since this case concerns a first infringement of Article 14(1) DR, the CEDB decided that the Club shall be punished with a partial stadium closure, as provided for in Article 14(2) DR. For the setting off of fireworks, the club was punished with a fine of €5’000.

Chairman: Partl Thomas (AUT)

Vice-Chairman: Berzi Sándor (HUN)

Member: Larumbe Beain Kepa (ESP)

Circumstances of the case

It was reported by the UEFA match delegate that the KKS Lech Poznań supporters lit around 45 Bengal lights in the 47th minute of the match at the exact same time. The club stated that it is disappointed by the behavior of this small group of supporters, however underlining that the incident did not result in any significant disturbance of the game, such as game stoppage or reduction of the TV coverage and that none of these Bengal lights were thrown.

Legal framework Article 16 (2) UEFA Disciplinary Regulations.

Decision

The CEDB referred to the principle of strict liability enshrined in Art. 8 and 16 (2) DR, noting that the club did not put forward any arguments in the present case which would breach the accuracy of the official UEFA report which expressly refers to the setting off of fireworks and is presumed to be accurate under Article 45 DR. The club merely referred to circumstances like that no major incidents derived from the ignition of the fireworks that are irrelevant for the assessment of the incident. The CEDB further recalled the previous record of the club, the very high number of fireworks and the potential risks created by doing so at the occasion of an away-match, and though that a fine of €30’000 and banning the club from selling tickets it its supporters for the next UEFA competition away match is the appropriate sanction.

Chairman: Partl Thomas (AUT)

Vice-Chairman: Hansen Jim Stjerne (DEN)

Members:
Antenen Jacques (SUI)
Gea Tomás (AND)
Leal João (POR)
Lorenz Hans (GER)
Wolff Joël (LUX)

Circumstances of the case

It was reported by the UEFA match delegate that the Legia Warszawa supporters staged an antiUEFA protest about 30 minutes before kick-off, unfurling a banner making reference to the €35’000 fine imposed on the club by UEFA. As the teams entered the pitch, a large banner was displayed implying that UEFA are pigs, additionally holding up blow-up plastic pigs. As the teams entered the pitch, a large amount of flares were ignited on either side of the banner. It was impossible to count the number, but it was more than likely to be in excess of 50.

Legal framework Article 16 (2) UEFA Disciplinary Regulations

Decision

With regards to the banner, the CEDB takes this opportunity to recall, that it cannot allow football matches organized by UEFA to become forums for people who want to abuse the game’s popularity to publicize their political or religious opinions. The CEDB further recalled that the setting off fireworks is a serious offence because not only can it disrupt the orderly running of the match but also, and more importantly, it can endanger the physical integrity of the persons who are lighting the fireworks, other spectators, officials and even the players on the pitch. In view of the long previous record of the club and the very negative picture and attitude of both the club supporters and the club itself, who is not able or willing to face a dramatic situation relating to the attitude of its supporters and to accept to comply with the UEFA disciplinary measures imposed against it, the CEDB deems that a partial closure and a fine €50´000 shall be deemed as the adequate disciplinary measures.

Chairman: Partl Thomas (AUT)

Vice-Chairman: Berzi Sándor (HUN)

Member: Larumbe Beain Kepa (ESP)