UEFA to meet over CSKA incident

29 October 2013 18:01

UEFA's disciplinary board will meet on Wednesday to discuss whether CSKA Moscow's stadium should be partially closed for their next Champions League game because of alleged racist chanting towards Yaya Toure.

Last Wednesday, during Manchester City's 2-1 win in the Russian capital, midfielder Toure claimed he was the target of monkey-chanting from the home fans inside the Khimki Arena.

The 30-year-old reported the incident to referee Ovidiu Hategan during the Champions League tie, and UEFA responded by charging the Russian club with "racist behaviour of their fans" the following day.

A seven-strong panel, headed by Austrian chair Dr Thomas Partl, will meet at UEFA's headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, on Wednesday afternoon to decide whether Toure was abused.

The hearing, which is to be held in private, will look at documentary evidence submitted by both sides. Neither Toure nor any representatives from the two clubs involved will be present.

It is understood that City have been busy compiling evidence from independent observers who were at the game to support their case.

A written submission from Toure and any City player who heard the alleged chanting is also likely to form part of the evidence submitted.

The panel will read further evidence detailed in the report of UEFA's match delegate.

Last season UEFA agreed to implement hardline punishments on racism after years of criticism surrounding their handling of the matter.

Under the new rules, CSKA will be forced to close part of their stadium for their next Champions League home game against Bayern Munich on November 27 if found guilty. They also face an additional punishment in the form of a 50,000 euros (£43,000) fine.

Toure said he was "furious" at the alleged abuse, which he reported to the referee 10 minutes into the second half.

The Ivory Coast midfielder said: "UEFA has to take action because players with the same colour of skin will always be in the same position.

"Maybe they could ban the stadium, I don't know, for a couple of years or a couple of months.

"We have to be as strong as possible otherwise they will continue like that. Too much is too much. We have to stop it now."

Toure later went on to claim that some players could boycott the 2018 World Cup in Russia unless the problem is rectified.

CSKA vehemently denied their fans engaged in racist chanting and insisted they were totally against any kind of discrimination.

"We believe that the accusations of racism are unfounded," the Russian club said in a statement on their website.

"CSKA has always actively fought and will continue to fight against racism."

CSKA have also been charged with setting off fireworks on the terraces during the game. Last week UEFA set up an internal investigation to find out why the referee did not stop the City game, as is allowed under the new rules.

Source: PA