UEFA sanctions Crvena Zvezda and Borac Banja Luka after fan incidents

UEFA’s disciplinary body has sanctioned Serbian champions Crvena Zvezda and Bosnian side Borac Banja Luka after incidents linked to their fans and team behaviour during European matches on 27 August 2026.

The Belgrade club was hit with a package of penalties — including fines, a ban on organised travel to a forthcoming away fixture in Lugano and a three-match suspension for winger Osman Bukari — following episodes in the 5:1 Europa League defeat at Viktoria Plzen. The clubs’ punishments were announced in UEFA’s written decision.

UEFA statement and detailed measures

In its statement UEFA set out the allegations and sanctions as follows:

“Match: FC Viktoria Plzen – FC Crvena Zvezda (5:1), 27.08.2026, UEFA Europa League 2026/27 – CHARGES AGAINST FC CRVENA ZVEZDA – Improper conduct of the team, Article 15(4) of the Disciplinary Regulations Racist and/or discriminatory behaviour, Article 14(2) of the Disciplinary Regulations Display of a message inappropriate for a sporting event (chanting), Article 16(2)(e) of the Disciplinary Regulations Attack on another player (player Osman Bukari), Article 15(1)(e) of the Disciplinary Regulations – DECISION – The CEDB (Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body of UEFA) decided the following: It was ordered that the conditional disciplinary measure imposed by the CEDB in its decision of 9 April 2025 because of racist behaviour by FC Crvena Zvezda supporters be activated, namely a ban on the sale of tickets to its supporters for one (1) consecutive match of a UEFA club competition. FC Crvena Zvezda is fined EUR 40,000, together with a full ban on the sale of tickets to its supporters for one (1) away match of a UEFA club competition, due to racist and/or discriminatory behaviour of its supporters. The aforementioned full ban on the sale of tickets for another away match of a UEFA club competition is conditionally deferred for a period of two (2) years, starting from the date of this decision. FC Crvena Zvezda is fined EUR 40,000, together with a full ban on the sale of tickets to its supporters for one (1) away match of a UEFA club competition, due to racist and/or discriminatory behaviour of its supporters. The aforementioned full ban on the sale of tickets for another away match of a UEFA club competition is conditionally deferred for a period of two (2) years, starting from the date of this decision. FC Crvena Zvezda is fined EUR 50,000 for displaying a message inappropriate for a sporting event. FC Crvena Zvezda is fined EUR 8,250 for improper conduct of the team. The player of FC Crvena Zvezda, Osman Bukari, is suspended for a total of three (3) matches of UEFA club competitions for which he would otherwise be eligible to play, for an attack on another player,” the statement reads.

UEFA also announced sanctions against Borac Banja Luka after their 3:1 Conference League win over Víkingur Reykjavik on the same date, listing offences that included racist or discriminatory conduct by supporters, use of pyrotechnics and abusive language from a member of the coaching staff.

UEFA’s published decision for Borac detailed the measures:

“Match: FC Borac – Víkingur Reykjavik (3:1), 27.08.2026, UEFA Conference League 2026/27 – CHARGES AGAINST FC BORAC BANJA LUKA – Improper conduct of the team (five or more players), Article 15(4) of the Disciplinary Regulations Racist and/or discriminatory behaviour, Article 14(2) of the Disciplinary Regulations Burning of pyrotechnical devices or other objects, Article 16(2)(c) of the Disciplinary Regulations Insulting and/or directing offensive words to a match official by a member of the coaching staff, Bogoljub Željković, Article 15(1)(b) of the Disciplinary Regulations – DECISION – The CEDB decided the following: It was ordered that the conditional disciplinary measure imposed by the CEDB in its decision of 21 February 2025 because of racist and/or discriminatory behaviour by FC Borac supporters be activated, namely partial closure of the stadium of FC Borac (500 contiguous seats on the east stand) for the next (1) match of a UEFA competition that FC Borac will play. FC Borac is fined EUR 30,000, with partial stadium closure (800 contiguous seats on the east stand) for one (1) further match of a UEFA club competition, of which FC Borac is the host, due to racist and/or discriminatory behaviour of its supporters. The aforementioned partial closure of the stadium for a further home match of a UEFA club competition is conditionally deferred for a period of two (2) years, starting from the date of this decision. FC Borac is fined EUR 4,000 for improper conduct of the team. FC Borac is fined EUR 3,500 for the burning of pyrotechnical devices. A member of FC Borac’s coaching staff, Bogoljub Željković, is fined EUR 2,000 for insulting and/or directing offensive words to a match official,” UEFA’s text states.

The UEFA decisions list specific fines and match bans; clubs can choose whether to appeal through the usual UEFA appeals process. Crvena Zvezda’s measures include restrictions that affect ticketing and organised supporter travel, while Borac faces partial stadium closures and multiple financial penalties.

Photo: press material from the event