Soccer-Clubs punished for crowd violence in Russian game
(Adds Spartak appeal) MOSCOW, Nov 1 (Reuters) - Spartak Moscow and Shinnik Yaroslavl have been fined and ordered to play matches behind closed doors following the crowd violence that erupted at their Russian Cup tie on Wednesday. The Russian FA fined visiting Spartak 600,000 roubles ($18,500) and told them to play two home matches behind closed doors for their part in the scenes of disorder. The FA also said in a statement on Friday that fans of the club were guilty of displaying a Nazi banner. Spartak, who are third in the top flight, will have to play second-placed Lokomotiv Moscow on Sunday and leaders Zenit St Petersburg seven days later in an empty stadium. Second-tier club Shinnik were fined 500,000 roubles and ordered to play three home games behind closed doors. Spartak director general Roman Askhabadze said his club had already lodged an appeal. "This situation is unprecedented. We have already sold all tickets for the Lokomotiv game, the stadium is supposed to be packed to the limit," added Askhabadze. "Forty hours before the game a decision is taken that it will take place without the crowd. He added that Spartak were offering 300,000 roubles to anyone who could help them identify the "provocateurs" who unfurled the Nazi banner. Wednesday's tie in the city of Yaroslavl saw fans clashing with police, ripping out seats and hurling them on to the pitch along with flares and smoke bombs. The game, won 1-0 by Spartak, was interrupted and police had to use a water cannon to restore order. A total of 78 supporters were detained by police after the match. Earlier this week CSKA Moscow were ordered to close a section of their stadium for their next Champions League home game following the racist abuse hurled at Manchester City's Yaya Toure last month. ($1 = 32.3902 Russian roubles) (Reporting by Gabriela Baczynska; editing by Tony Jimenez)
