Related case:
UEFA Appeals Body 2019 Royal Antwerp FC vs UEFA
November 13, 2019
In August 2019 the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has reported several charges against the football club Royal Antwerp FC because of the incidents that occurred during the match in the King Baudoin Stadium in Brussels on 29 August 2019:
- Improper conduct of the team
- Throwing of objects
- Setting off fireworks
- Illicit banner
- Crowd disturbances
- Stairways blocked
Further the UEFA reported that after the game the goalkeeper Sinan Bolat attributed verbally to the doping doctors from UEFA, the UEFA DCO and the UEFA DCO Candidate.
The club acknowledged the seriousness of the events that occurred during the game and emphasised the exceptional conditions, which might have led to these incidents, and elucidate some of the charges.
The Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) finds that the incidents and violations have been established and that the club must be punished accordingly under the applicable rules.
Regarding the goalkeeper Sinan Bolat and his conduct against UEFA match officials the CEDB concludes that he has committed a violation and that he must be punished accordingly.
Therefore the CEDB decides on 19 September 2019:
- To order a partial stadium closure of at least 5,000 seats in Tribune 1 of the Royal Antwerp FC Stadium during the next competition match in which Royal Antwerp FC would play as the host club, for the throwing of objects, for setting off fireworks and for the crowd disturbances.
- To order Royal Antwerp FC to implement the following directive in the next UEFA competition match in which the club will play as the host club: to display a banner with the wording “#EqualGame”, with the UEFA logo on it.
- To fine Royal Antwerp FC €20,000 for the throwing of objects, for setting off fireworks and for the crowd disturbances.
- To fine Royal Antwerp FC €10,000 for displaying an illicit banner.
- To fine Royal Antwerp FC €8,000 for the blocking of stairways.
- To warn Royal Antwerp FC for the improper conduct of the team.
- The above fines in the total amount of €38,000 must be paid into the bank account indicated below within 90 days of communication of this decision.
- To suspend Royal Antwerp FC player Sinan Bolat for three (3) UEFA competition matches for which he would otherwise be eligible, for insulting a match official.
- Royal Antwerp FC ensures that the player is personally informed of this decision.
