Serbian FA Fines Zvezda and Partizan After 180th Eternal Derby: 1 Million Dinars for Zvezda, 300,000 for Partizan

The Disciplinary and Ethics Commission of the Football Association of Serbia, at a meeting chaired by Ivan Nikolić, has imposed sanctions for violations recorded at the 180th “eternal” derby between Crvena zvezda and Partizan, as well as in Novi Pazar’s league matches against Mačva and Železničar. The decisions were taken after reviewing reports from match delegates and observers.

The heaviest financial blow fell on Crvena zvezda as the derby’s organizer: the club was fined 1,000,000 dinars and ordered to play one league or cup match at its own stadium behind closed doors, suspended for one year. The commission found the home club responsible for shortcomings in match organization, insufficient control of fans at the entrances to the stands, an unjustified delay to kickoff, and the massive use of pyrotechnics, particularly “cannon shots”.

Partizan was also fined — 300,000 dinars, plus a ban on its fans attending one away league or cup match, also suspended for one year — for bringing in and setting off a large number of pyrotechnics, including 36 cannon shots. In assessing the sanction, particular weight was given to the incident in the 14th minute of the match, when a security service employee standing below the south stand suffered minor bodily injury as a direct result of a cannon shot thrown onto the athletics track exploding.

Novi Pazar also came under the commission’s scrutiny, for incidents in its two consecutive home matches. In its statement, the FA stressed that the high monetary fines imposed so far have had no effect and warned of a harsher response if incidents continue, while commission chairman Ivan Nikolić said he hopes this dangerous practice will come to an end.

Source: MaxSport