Alajuelense fined for fan racism, behaviour in CCL semifinal against Impact (SOC-CONCACAF-Alajuelense)
MIAMI _ Alajuelense of Costa Rica has been fined undisclosed amounts for racist chants made by spectators and objects thrown on the field during its CONCACAF Champions League match April 7 against the visiting Montreal Impact.
The club has also been banned from using Alejandro Morero Soto Stadium for its next Champions League match, the governing body for soccer in North and Central America and the Caribbean announced Tuesday.
The Impact filed a complaint that fans made monkey sounds at its black players during the match. Goalkeeper Evan Bush said he was hit in the back of the head by a coin thrown from the seats. Other objects were also hurled at the team.
CONCACAF said it was the first time its disciplinary committee fined a team for racist behaviour by spectators. It said in a statement the fine underlines the confederation’s “zero tolerance policy concerning such incidents.
“CONCACAF embraces and promotes diversity as a key value of football by fostering a culture of respect and inclusiveness,” the organization said.
It also stated Alajuelense was “reprimanded for repeated infringements with regards to the lack of security at its home stadium.”
Montreal won the two-game, aggregate goals semifinal to become the first Canadian club to reach the Champions League final.
The Impact battled to a 1-1 tie with Club America of Mexico in the first leg of the final last week. Montreal will host to the second leg Wednesday night before an expected crowd of more than 60,000 at Olympic Stadium.
The Associated Press