NYON, Switzerland (AP) _ European soccer's governing body
disqualified Partizan Belgrade from the UEFA Cup on Thursday
following crowd trouble during a qualifying match against Zrinjski.
Twenty-eight police officers were injured, one seriously, when
Partizan's Serbian supporters fought with Zrinjski's Bosnian-Croat
fans in a first-round qualifying match on July 19 in
Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Partizan, which won the first-leg match 6-1, was also fined
50,000 Swiss francs (C$43,485).
The club has three days to appeal the decision. Subject to an
appeal, Zrinjski will progress to the second qualifying round.
Police considered the match high-risk and deployed additional
officers, but they were unable to stop the fighting at the Bijeli
Brijeg stadium.
Four Zrnjski and five Partizan fans were also injured, one
seriously.
``I could not believe the punishment was so rigorous,'' Partizan
captain Antonio Rukavina said. ``But we must find strength to
overcome the situation.''
Partizan coach Miroslav Djukic called the punishment a ``huge
blow, especially for young players who need international
experience'' but said the decision came as no surprise in view of
UEFA's efforts to end soccer violence.
Serbia's own sports ministry also promised to come up with a
strategy against fan violence.
