UEFA sanction Craiova after smoke grenade hits ref and match descends into chaos

August 7 – Leading Romanian club Universitatea Craiova have been ordered to play their next two European games behind closed doors after the referee was struck by an exploding object during a Europa League qualifier against Honved of Budapest.

The game last Thursday was halted for 30 minutes after Arnold Hunter from Northern Ireland was hit, with the fourth official taking charge.

UEFA suspended a third game for two years, and also issued a £55,000 fine.

As well as the smoke grenade, a mass brawl erupted among the players and staff a minute before the final whistle was about to be blown to signal the end of extra time and Craiova were also charged over racist behaviour, crowd disturbances, setting off fireworks and insufficient organisation.

Honved, meanwhile, have been charged with racist behaviour, crowd disturbances and improper conduct of the team but described the scenes as “scandalous”.

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