UEFA’s astonishing hypocrisy

By Sean Whetstone

Hypocrisy doesn’t start to cover Uefa’s actions towards the banning of West Ham from the Rapd Vienna away game.

Just look at their recent record!

Last month Ajax supporters let off pre-match fireworks before their 4-0 demolition of Borussia Dortmund, covering the Johan Cruyff Arena in smoke and light.

European stadiums are accustomed to flares being let off during games, but fans somehow snuck fireworks into the stadium before blasting them out of the home end.

The Dortmund fans had a firework show of their own in the away end, but it was nothing compared to the bewildering scenes at the other side of the stadium.

UEFA has previously admitted it is almost impossible to ensure supporters do not bring flares or fireworks into grounds.

Just last month the European governing body have issued the penalty to Celtic after a young fan invaded the field of play, and another supporter lit a pyrotechnic device, during the 3-0 victory over Jablonec on 12 August. UEFA’s control, ethics and disciplinary body have imposed a €5,000 fine for the invasion, topped up with a €2,000 fine for setting off fireworks.

UEFA also fined fellow Scottish club St Johnstone €3,000 after a fan set off a pyrotechnic during the Perthshire club’s 4-2 home defeat to Galatasaray.

Celtic and St Johnstone were fined €2,000 and  €3,000 respectively with no sanction of banning fans while West Ham have been fined a total of €34,500 (£29,260) following the 2-2 draw in Belgium on 4 November with away fans banned nine days notice.