UEFA punishes Serbia by closing stadium after racist fan incidents

Lithuania's Modestas Vorobjovas, left, and Serbia's Aleksandar Mitrovic challenge for the ball during a Euro 2020 Group B qualifying match. (Mindaugas Kulbis/AP)

NYON, Switzerland — UEFA has punished Serbia for racist fan incidents by ordering the stadium to be closed for its next home game in European Championship qualifying.

The sanction was announced as UEFA weighs action against Bulgaria for racist abuse of England players last week.

The incidents involving Serbia fans came during a 4-2 loss to Portugal last month. The team will now play in an empty stadium when Serbia hosts Luxembourg on Nov. 14. UEFA also imposed a 33,250 euro ($37,000) fine.

Serbia will be in a one-year probation period when Ukraine visits three days later for the final Group B game. Ukraine already qualified for Euro 2020 and Portugal is favoured to take the second qualifying place.

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