UEFA gets tough on racism

UEFA today signalled their intent to take a tough line on racism by attempting to overturn their own disciplinary panel’s feeble punishment of PSV Eindhoven for their fans’ abuse of Arsenal’s black players in last month’s Champions League game.

In an unprecedented step, UEFA have appealed against a decision made by their own semi-independent disciplinary panel, who had originally imposed a fine of €20,000 - despite the Dutch club having a track record of racist and violent crowds.

In the wake of the shocking abuse endured by England’s black players in Slovakia at the weekend, and several incidents at recent Champions League and UEFA Cup games, European football’s governing body have made clear their determination to enforce a crackdown.

UEFA’s rulers were disappointed at the weak penalty imposed by the disciplinary panel on Friday and they will now exert pressure on Arsenal to provide written evidence of the racist abuse at PSV – which has been mentioned by both Thierry Henry and Ashley Cole but without the club making an official complaint.

The decision means PSV could yet be forced to play a match behind closed doors as punishment, a course of action called for by Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein for clubs whose fans are overtly racist.

UEFA chief executive Gerhard Aigner said in a statement: “The control and disciplinary body has to be allowed to look at each case referred to it and make a decision on the available evidence.

“However, if there’s reason to believe that the verdict is not wholly appropriate or that further evidence needs examination then I can intervene.

“Whatever the outcome of the appeal process in this particular case UEFA are determined to do all that we can to combat racism in European football. To succeed, a partnership is needed with commitment from everyone involved in the game in our continent.

“There are no simple solutions and we all have a responsibility to act and to set the ground rules for the future.”

Henry was also targeted by missiles thrown from the crowd, and Cole said following the match: “You could hear the chants coming from the crowd but I have to say you were on the pitch to play football and not listen to racist chants.

“I just blocked it out and got on with the game, even when there were monkey chants whenever a black player had the ball.”

Meanwhile, Yugoslavian club FK Sartid have appealed against a fine for racist behaviour of their spectators towards Ipswich players.

German side Hertha Berlin have appealed against Andreas Neuendorf’s four-match ban for headbutting an Aberdeen player in their UEFA Cup match.