Footall: Zenit hit hard after crowd trouble

MOSCOW: The Russian football federation came down hard on reigning champions Zenit St Petersburg, ruling that they lost their last match 3-0 against Dynamo Moscow after it was abandoned due to crowd trouble. The western Russian side were told to pay a $19,000 fine for the illegal use of firecrackers and abusive chanting. They were also ordered to play their next two domestic league matches behind closed doors. “According to the code, abandoned league matches should never be replayed,” said the Russian football federation (RFU) disciplinary panel deputy chief Artur Grigoryants. Zenit general manager Maxim Mitrofanov said the club will appeal the ruling.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 23^rd, 2012.