FIFA fines Germany for Nazi chants at World Cup qualifier
Soccer federation to pay $33,000 for fans’ ‘improper conduct’ during game against Czech Republic
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GENEVA (AP) — FIFA fined the German soccer federation 32,000 Swiss francs ($33,000) on Monday because fans chanted Nazi slogans at a World Cup qualifying game in the Czech Republic.
The range of “improper conduct” charges against Germany included fans encroaching on the field and setting off fireworks at the game in Prague, FIFA said.
German officials said the offensive fans did not buy tickets through official channels. Germany’s next away World Cup qualifier is on Thursday in Northern Ireland.
About 200 German supporters chanted slogans during their team’s 2-1 win and verbally abused one of the scorers, Timo Werner.
FIFA also fined the Czech federation 5,000 Swiss francs ($5,150) for crowd disorder.
FIFA’s attempts to crack down on fans chanting gay slurs saw seven national federations fined for incidents.
Argentina was ordered to pay 65,000 Swiss francs ($67,000), Panama 50,000 Swiss francs ($51,500), and Hungary 20,000 Swiss francs ($20,600). Other fines were for Chile (35,000 Swiss francs; $36,000); Ecuador (20,000 Swiss francs; $20,600), Brazil (10,000 Swiss francs; $10,300) and Mexico (10,000 Swiss francs; $10,300).
Uruguay’s federation was fined 25,000 Swiss francs ($25,750) for “insulting chants” by fans at a home qualifier against Argentina.
FIFA imposed fines of 45,000 Swiss francs ($46,400) on the soccer bodies of Iran and Ukraine.
Iran was sanctioned for incidents at a home game against Syria, including a “pre-match ceremony with religious chants” and improper conduct by fans.
Ukrainian fans were guilty of discrimination with chants and banners at a home game against Turkey.
European federations fined for discriminatory behavior by fans included Romania and Montenegro (each 25,000 Swiss francs; $25,750) and Serbia (20,000 Swiss francs; $20,600). Romania is also banned for one World Cup qualifier from using the National Stadium in Bucharest.
Nigeria was fined 30,000 Swiss francs ($31,000) for fan disorder at a 4-0 home win over Cameroon.
A ball boy being sent off counted in a charge against Honduras for failure in match organization against the United States, and resulted in a 5,000 Swiss franc ($5,150) fine.
Gabon was ordered to forfeit a qualifying game against Ivory Coast as a 3-0 loss. However, Ivory Coast — which leads Group C in Africa — already won the September 2 game 3-0 in Libreville. Gabon was fined 6,000 Swiss francs ($6,200).
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