J-League punishes Urawa for discriminatory banner

Published Mar. 13, 2014 3:49 a.m. ET

foxsports

TOKYO (AP) The J-League has disciplined Japanese club Urawa Reds over racist fan behavior, ordering the popular team to play its next home game at an empty stadium.

Thursday's decision comes after a fan displayed a banner at Urawa's stadium Saturday that had the words ''Japanese Only'' written on it. The sign was put up at a stadium entrance and wasn't removed until after the March 8 game.

Urawa will play its next home game on March 23.

Most teams in the J-League have several foreign players on their squads, but Urawa did not have a single foreigner in its lineup for Saturday's match, which it lost 1-0.

Following Thursday's decision, the team announced it will prohibit supporters from displaying signs and banners of any kind at all home games.