Ferencvaros gets stadium ban due to fan violence

Ferencvaros gets stadium ban due to fan violence

Published Nov. 3, 2009 6:47 p.m. ET

Ferencvaros was ordered Tuesday to play its next three home matches in an empty stadium after fan violence caused its last league game to be ended early.

The Hungarian football federation also fined Ferencvaros 3 million forints ($15,800, €10,800).


Violence in Soccer





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    Ferencvaros said it would decide on a possible appeal after receiving a copy of the official ruling.

    Diosgyor was leading 3-1 at Ferencvaros on Saturday when a group of fans began throwing firecrackers and pieces of chairs ripped from the stands on to the pitch and at police. The referee stopped the match in the 69th minute.

    Dozens of Ferencvaros fans continued their rowdy behavior outside the stadium after the match, and Diosgyor supporters were made to wait inside until they could leave safely.

    Diosgyor host Ferencvaros again on Wednesday in a domestic cup match, and police have vowed to take extra precautions to ensure there is no repeat of Saturday's violence.

    Ferencvaros' second-string team is expected to play against Diosgyor as the club has a league game on the same day against Gyor - the first of the three home games to take place in an empty stadium.

    Justice Minister Tibor Draskovics said that Budapest police had set up a special team dealing with organized crime to investigate Saturday's incidents and were hoping to identify the perpetrators through security video footage.

    Police also launched a disciplinary procedure against two police officials in charge of security because only two fans were detained.

    Ferencvaros, which is in next-to-last place in the league after 13 rounds with a game in hand, is owned by Kevin McCabe, chairman of English team Sheffield United.

    Founded in 1899, Ferencvaros was relegated to the second division for the first time in its history in 2006 due to tax debts and unpaid salaries. It returned to the top league this year.

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