Uefa closes sectors at Steaua, Debrecen and Maribor after racist incidents

Uefa has punished three Champions League clubs for the racist behaviour of some supporters at matches last month. Uefa says Steaua Bucharest, Debrecen and Maribor must close sections of their stadiums at the next Champions League or Europa League match they host.

Steaua’s sanction takes effect on Wednesday. Two sections of the National Arena will be closed against the Kazakhstan champions, Aktobe, in the second leg of their third qualifying round tie.

Uefa’s disciplinary panel acted on reports of racist incidents when Steaua beat Norway’s Stromsgodset 2-0 on 23 July. Debrecen of Hungary must shut sector B of their ground after fans showed an “illicit banner” during a match against Northern Ireland’s Cliftonville.

Slovenia’s Maribor must close sector Jug of their stadium after racist behaviour when Zrinjski of Bosnia-Herzegovina visited. Debrecen and Maribor play away in second-leg matches on Tuesday.

In a fourth case from the Europa League, Uefa ordered Chikhura Sachkhere of Georgia to close the section of its stadium used by “ultras” on Thursday when Neftchi Baku of Azerbaijan visits. It followed incidents during a goalless draw with Bursaspor of Turkey on 24 July.

Our reports from Europe League:

• Club Brugge – Brøndby 31.07.2014, great show by fans from Denmark
• Petrolul Ploiesti – Viktoria Plzen 30.07.2014, away fans lost banner
• Ferencvaros – Rijeka 24.07.2014, Fradi fans with protest
• Zimbru – CSKA Sofia 24.07.2014, Ultra Boys Zimbru attacked away fans
• Rijeka – Ferencvaros 17.07.2014, police stopped hungarian fans before match