European soccer's governing body UEFA has fined five clubs over crowd trouble during the final qualifying round for the Champions League. Belgium's Anderlecht were hardest hit as UEFA fined them 20,000 Swiss francs ($16,526) after fans threw missiles and attempted to invade the pitch during their second-leg defeat against Turkish side Fenerbahce in Brussels on August 29.
Fenerbahce, who went through 3-0 over the two legs, were fined 8,000 Swiss francs for their supporters setting off fireworks. "We accept the fine and are just happy that UEFA did not demand that we play our (September 20) UEFA Cup match against Vienna behind closed doors," Anderlecht said in a statement. "We are very disappointed with the behaviour of these fans and have endeavoured with the police to identify them and have them punished.
We are also working with the police to make sure this does not happen again in the future." Italy's Lazio and Romania's Dinamo Bucharest were fined 12,000 and 9,000 Swiss francs respectively for incidents involving fireworks during their third-round meeting.
Lazio went through to the group stage as 4-2 aggregate winners. UEFA's disciplinary committee made no mention of racist behaviour at either match despite media reports of chanting by Anderlecht, Fenerbahce and Lazio fans. Red Star Belgrade were also fined 10,000 Swiss francs by the committee after their supporters threw missiles during their qualifier against Rangers, which ended in a 1-0 overall victory for the Glasgow side.