Manchester City fans may attend Dynamo Kiev clash after UEFA cut stadium ban

02 February 2016 06:53

Manchester City fans will be able to attend the first leg of the Champions League last-16 clash away to Dynamo Kiev after UEFA cut the Ukrainian club's three-match stadium ban for racist behaviour and crowd disturbances down to one following appeal.

Supporters from both clubs had been set to be excluded from attending the fixture on February 24 following sanctions imposed in the wake of disturbances during the game against Chelsea earlier this season in October 2015.

However, the European governing body announced in a statement on Tuesday evening the Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body had decided to reduce the penalty to one behind closed doors, which was served out for the group game against Maccabi Tel-Aviv on December 9.

Kiev were also fined 50,000 Euros (£38,000).

UEFA had charged Kiev over racist behaviour under article 14 of their disciplinary regulations, as well as for related crowd disturbances and the stairways at the Olympic Stadium being blocked which is against the safety and security regulations of the governing body.

Kiev, though, are said to have argued their case for a reduction in the punishment based around the club's attempts to tackle the issues head on, with one of the guilty fans already handed a suspended prison sentence.

Tuesday's statement read: "The UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body's decision of 24 November 2015 is amended as follows:

"1. To order the FC Dynamo Kyiv to play one (1) UEFA competition match as host club behind closed doors. As the club has already played one match behind closed doors during the UEFA Champions League 2015/2016 match FC Dynamo Kyiv vs Maccabi Tel-Aviv FC played on 9 December 2015, the club has already served this sanction.

"2. To fine FC Dynamo Kyiv ? 50.000."

During October 2014, City fans had found themselves excluded from attending the Champions League fixture away to CSKA Moscow following sanctions against the Russians for violence and racist chanting.

The second leg of the knockout tie will be held at the Etihad Stadium on March 15.

Source: PA