UEFA Fines Egnatia €25,000 and Orders Conditional Partial Stadium Closure
UEFA has imposed disciplinary sanctions on Albanian champions KF Egnatia following crowd misconduct during their Champions League qualifying match against Slovenian club NK Celje.
The UEFA Appeals Body fined Egnatia €25,000 after supporters repeatedly threw objects onto the field during the dramatic 3–3 draw at Arena Egnatia in Rrogozhina.
UEFA also ordered the partial closure of Egnatia’s stadium for the club’s next home match in a European competition.
However, the stadium sanction has been suspended for a two-year probationary period beginning from the date of the decision.
This means the partial closure will not be enforced immediately. It could be activated if Egnatia’s supporters commit another disciplinary offence during the two-year period.
UEFA’s official decision stated: “KF Egnatia is fined €25,000 and the partial closure of the stadium is ordered during the next UEFA competition match in which KF Egnatia will play as the home team, for throwing objects.”
Egnatia director Kledji Zenelaj was also suspended for one UEFA match for unsporting conduct. UEFA disciplinary decisions.
A dramatic tie decided on penalties
The disciplinary action followed a highly competitive first leg in Rrogozhina, which ended in a spectacular 3–3 draw.
Egnatia and Celje met again in Slovenia, where the Albanian champions produced another courageous performance.
The return match ended 2–2 after extra time, leaving the two clubs level at 5–5 on aggregate.
The qualification was therefore decided by a penalty shootout, with Celje winning 4–1 and eliminating Egnatia from the Champions League. UEFA match report
Despite the painful elimination, Egnatia’s European campaign will continue in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League.
The Albanian champions will now face Irish side Shamrock Rovers, while UEFA’s two-year disciplinary probation will remain in effect throughout their future European matches.
The decision represents a serious warning for the club and its supporters, as another incident could lead to the activation of the partial stadium closure.