Ukraine punished by UEFA over racist chants; will play their next match behind closed doors

The Metalist stadium will be the venue for Ukraine’s match against Poland

Ukraine has been taken to task by FIFA, who have instructed the country to play their World Cup qualifying match against Poland in a restricted environment after football’s top body received complaints of racist jibes during the match against San Marino. Sky Sports reports.

Ukraine, who currently trail leaders England by one point, will be forced to play the match against Poland in the Metalist stadium without any supporters on October 11 in Kharkiv after Ukraine fans we’re found guilty of “several racist and discriminatory incidents” in the 9-0 thrashing of San Marino on September 6.

A FIFA statement read: “FIFA was informed by FARE (Football Against Racism Europe), by means of a report submitted by the FARE observer for the aforementioned match, that several racist and discriminatory incidents were apparently perpetrated by local supporters during the match, in particular by displaying neo-Nazi banners and by making “monkey noises and gestures” as well as Nazi salutes.

“Following the opening of disciplinary proceedings on 11 September 2013, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee analysed the match officials’ reports, the report from the FARE observer, as well as the position of the FFU (Football Federation of Ukraine).

“The committee agreed that the offensive, denigratory and discriminatory actions of a group of Ukrainian supporters were shameful and a clear breach of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC). In addition, the pyrotechnical devices, which can pose considerable threats to personal safety, are not to be tolerated.

“After taking into account the full circumstances of the case, and particularly given the gravity of the incidents, the committee decided that the next home match of the “A” representative team of Ukraine in the preliminary competition for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil would be played without spectators.”

Ukraine we’re also slapped with a £30,819 fine .

Ukraine’s final qualifying game will see them play San Marino while the Wembley will host England’s games against Montenegro and Poland