Liverpool fined for fans’ behaviour in Europa League final

Oli Fisher

Liverpool have been fined £13,390 for the behaviour of their fans during the 2015/16 Europa League final against Sevilla in Switzerland.

The fine is in relation to clashes between fans before the game, an ‘illicit banner’ and the use of pyrotechnics such as flares during the match.

Sevilla also received a fine of 17,000 Euros for their part in the crowd disturbances. They won the match 3-1, securing a third consecutive Europa League title.

European football’s governing body had launched disciplinary action against both the Reds and their opponents in May for “crowd disturbances” after fighting erupted at St Jakob-Park in Basel shortly before kick-off.

Police intervention was required to control the ugly scenes, for which inadequate segregation was blamed.

After Liverpool’s last-16 win over rivals Manchester United, they were charged with illicit chanting, setting off fireworks, throwing of objects, crowd disturbances and a late kick-off.

The club then proceeded to warn supporters about their behaviour prior to their quarter-final against Borussia Dortmund, but the appeals fell on deaf ears as they received two further charges for conduct over the two legs against the German side.

Flares were also used by fans during the semi-final win over Villarreal, although no action was taken.

Uefa’s acting general secretary Theodore Theodoridis said after the final: “Judging by the outcome, of course we would have all been far happier if the stadium had been bigger.

“But if you look at the past, this [one of the finalists boasting a travelling fanbase the size of Liverpool’s] was not the case in any recent finals. It’s very hard to speculate which clubs will participate.

“It’s a one-off but of course there will be a review and the appropriate decisions made for the future.”