Zenit hit hard for fan trouble

MOSCOW - Agence France-Presse

Dynamo Moscow goalkeeper Anton Shunin was injured by a firecracker thrown by visiting fans of Zenit St Petersburg. AFP photo

The Russian football federation yesterday 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 was told to pay a 600,000-rouble ($19,000) fine for the illegal use of firecrackers and abusive chanting. The team was also ordered to play its next two domestic league matches behind the closed doors.

The sanction came after Zenit’s match away to Dynamo Moscow on Nov. 17 was abandoned in the 36th minute after home goalkeeper Anton Shunin was injured by a firecracker thrown by the visiting team’s fans.

Dynamo had taken the lead in the 27th minute of the game but referee Alexei Nikolaev called a halt to the game nine minutes later after Shunin was hurt.

“We took the decision basing on the existing regulations,” the Russian football federation (RFU) disciplinary panel deputy chief Artur Grigoryants said. “According to the code the abandoned league matches should never be replayed.”

General manager Maxim Mitrofanov said the club will appeal the ruling.

Dynamo was also fined for not preventing the crowd trouble. The team was ordered to pay 580,000 roubles and play one home match behind closed doors.