Chechen FC fined over threats to ref
Published 09 April, 2008, 17:13
The Russian Football Association has fined a Russian Premier League club after a referee was threatened during a match. Newly promoted Terek Grozny, the Chechen republic’s FC, have been forced to pay $US 20,000.
The FA upheld a complaint by referee Aleksandr Gvardis who officiated their 1-0 win over CSKA Moscow at the weekend. The match took place in the Chechen capital of Grozny.
After turning down first-half penalty appeals from Terek, Gvardis was threatened by an unnamed official. It’s alleged he said: “We can get you! If not here, then when you are at home!”
“It’s not really important to us who threatened the referee. The main point is that our security system regulations were broken. And the referee found himself under pressure. So what we really care about is to do our best to avoid any such incidents in the future,” said Vladimir Katkov, Disciplinary Committee Chairman.
Also, Terek's sport director – Pavel Stipidi – was fined $US 1,200 for incorrect behaviour.
In addition, the club could be forced to play a home match behind closed if such an incident is repeated within four months.
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