Hertha Berlin punished for fan violence

Published Mar. 24, 2010 7:55 p.m. ET

foxsports

The German football federation has fined Hertha Berlin and imposed other sanctions for the bottom-place club in the Bundesliga because of rioting by fans at a recent game.

Besides the €50,000 ($66,500) fine, Hertha was ordered to limit ticket sales for its April 10 home against Stuttgart to 25,000.

The federation also ordered the club to close the section of the stands from where about 150 rowdy fans invaded the pitch after a 2-1 loss to Nuremberg. The Olympic stadium in Berlin can accommodate 74,200 fans.

The rowdy fans smashed equipment and caused other damage before being overpowered by police.