UEFA fines Slovan Bratislava, Sparta Prague for Europa match crowd fighting

PRAGUE -- Slovan Bratislava and Sparta Prague have been fined after their Europa League match had to be interrupted for more than half an hour due to fighting between fans.

The Oct 23 game had to be interrupted in the 41st minute after Sparta fans attacked Slovan supporters in the stands and play was resumed after riot police were deployed.

Sparta eventually won the match 3-0 after three second-half goals.

UEFA says Slovan was fined 50,000 euros ($63,000) while Sparta received a 80,000-euro ($100,000) fine and the Czech club will have to play a match without fans in attendance if there is a repeat of the scenes in the next two years.

Sparta says it is studying Thursday's verdict while Slovan has refused to comment following UEFA's decision.