UEFA orders Lyon to close stadium for Champions League game
Lyon’s Martin Terrier celebrates after he scored a goal against Strasbourg during their French League One soccer match in Decines, near Lyon, central France, Friday, Aug. 24, 2018. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)
NYON, Switzerland — UEFA has ordered Lyon to play its first Champions League group-stage home game in an empty stadium as punishment for crowd disorder and racism in last season’s Europa League.
European soccer’s ruling body says it deferred a second stadium closure for a two-year probationary period, and fined Lyon 100,000 euros ($116,000).
Article continues after this advertisementLyon will find out its Champions League opponents when the draw is made on Thursday in Monaco.
The French club had faced even tougher sanctions following persistent crowd trouble in the 2016-17 Europa League campaign.
The latest UEFA disciplinary case came after the Europa League round of 16, second leg against CSKA Moscow in March.
Article continues after this advertisementLyon lost 3-2, was eliminated on away goals and missed the chance to feature in the final at its home ground.
