UEFA have fined Rennes €44,000 for pitch invaders, setting off flares and blocking stairways during their game against Arsenal.
The verdict from UEFA read:
Match: UEFA Europa League Round of 16 first leg match between Stade Rennais FC and Arsenal FC (3-1), played on 7 March in France
Charges against Stade Rennais FC:
– Field invasion by supporters – Art. 16 (2) DR
– Setting off of fireworks – Art. 16 (2) DR
– Stairways blocked – Art. 38 of the UEFA Safety and Security Regulations
Decision:
The CEDB has decided to fine Stade Rennais €44,000.
The initial charge said:
Disciplinary proceedings have been opened following the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 match between Stade Rennais FC and Arsenal FC (3-1), played on 7 March in France.
Charges against Stade Rennais FC:
– Field invasion by supporters – Art. 16 (2) of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations (DR)
– Setting off of fireworks – Art. 16 (2) DR
– Stairways blocked – Art. 38 of the UEFA Safety and Security Regulations
These cases will be dealt with by the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body on 28 March.
As you can see from the charges detailed above, no action was taken for the objects thrown at Arsenal players.
This follows on from the announcement that Arsenal were 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.