FIFA has slammed a total of $522,188 (536,000 Swiss Francs, CHF) in fines on 17 countries over some ‘ugly’ incidents during 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches and international friendlies played in the year. Some countries were also banned from using their home stadia for up to two matches in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.
According to a statement on FIFA website, Chairman of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, Claudio Sulser, said: “With these decisions, it is not our intention to judge or question specific commemorations as we fully respect the significance of such moments in the respective countries, each one of them with its own history and background. However, keeping in mind that the rules need to be applied in a neutral and fair manner across FIFA’s 211 member associations, the display, among others, of any political or religious symbol is strictly prohibited. In the stadium and on the pitch, there is only room for sport, nothing else”.the fines were ratified today according to a statement on the football body’s website.
The countries and the fines and sanctions imposed on them are as follows:
England – CHF 45,000
For several incidents in the framework of the England v. Scotland match, including the display by the host association, the English team and spectators of a political symbol and several cases of spectator misconduct.
Scotland – CHF 20,000
As the visiting team in the match versus England cited above, fined for the display of the same political symbol and cases of misconduct committed by its own group of spectators.
Chile – CHF 30,000 plus a ban on playing at the Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos in Santiago for two official matches
The ban will be served at Chile’s 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Paraguay and Ecuador. The proceedings relate to homophobic chants by the team’s fans and follow previous sanctions for similar incidents during the preliminary competition of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Wales – CHF 20,000
Northern Ireland – CHF 15,000
The countries above were fined in relation to several incidents, including the display of political symbols in the context of the Wales v. Serbia and Northern Ireland v. Azerbaijan matches.
Republic of Ireland – CHF 5,000
For the display of a political symbol on the shirt during the Republic of Ireland v. Switzerland friendly match
Romania – CHF 95,000 plus a ban on playing at the Arena Națională in Bucharest for two matches
The sanctions are for a series of incidents during the Romania v. Poland match. The first ban will be served at the next match of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers between Romania and Denmark, whereas the implementation of the second ban is suspended subject to a probation period of two years in application of art. 33 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC).
Honduras – CHF 40,000 plus a ban on playing at the Olympic Stadium in San Pedro Sula for one match
Sanctions are for several incidents during the Honduras v. Panama match. The suspension will be served at Honduras’ 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Costa Rica.
Greece – CHF 80,000
For several incidents during the Greece v. Bosnia and Herzegovina match, including the display of a political banner by fans.
Ukraine – CHF 60,000
For discriminatory chants by fans during the Ukraine v. Serbia friendly match.
Poland – CHF 35,000,
Argentina – CHF 30,000,
Bosnia and Herzegovina – 25,000,
Colombia – CHF 25,000
Panama – CHF 25,000
Mexico – CHF 20,000
Venezuela – CHF 20,000
The seven countries above were sanctioned for various incidents involving unsporting conduct by fans, including homophobic chants in some instances. Another procedure opened against Mexico is currently on going.
The FIFA statement concludes: “The Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) has been sanctioned for fielding an ineligible player in the match between the Solomon Islands and Tahiti on 7 November 2016. The match is declared to be forfeited and awarded 3-0 in favour of Tahiti, with the SIFF also receiving a fine of CHF 6,000 after the FIFA Disciplinary Committee considered the SIFF liable for having breached art. 55 par. 1 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC) and art. 8 of the Regulations for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™. The sanction relates to the player Henry Luito’o Samuel Fa’arodo failing to serve the automatic one-match suspension imposed on him following two cautions received in two different matches (art. 17 par. 3 of the FDC)”
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