Arsenal have been handed a £13,000/€15,000 fine following the pitch invader and late kick-off of their home game against Qarabag in December.
During that game, one away fan made it onto the pitch carrying the flag of the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, an area that has been central to the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
In addition, the game kicked off, wait for it, ‘at least one minute late’ according to FourFourTwo who pulled out the live reports to try and clarify why Arsenal had been fined for a late kick-off.
Still, good to know, as always with UEFA, they have their priorities in place.
At the time of writing, there has been no word of any action being taken against Rennes for the large number of objects that were thrown at Arsenal players on Thursday night nor for the numerous flares that were set off.
They have, however, opened proceedings against GNK Dinamo (setting off fireworks, throwing objects, racist behaviour, blocked stairways) and Benfica (late kick-off), Eintracht Frankfurt (coach dismissed) and Inter Milan, and Sevilla and Slavia Prague (coach dismissed) for incidents that took place in their games on Thursday night.
Ruling:
Match: UEFA Europa League group stage match between Arsenal FC and Qarabağ FK (1-0), played on 13 December in England
Charges against Arsenal FC
– Field invasion by supporters – Art. 16 (2) of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations (DR)
– Late Kick-off – Art. 11 (2) DR
Decision:
The CEDB has decided to fine Arsenal FC €15,000.