Zenit Saint Petersburg may face disqualification from the UEFA Champions League for the outrageous behavior of their fans during a home clash against APOEL.
The St Pete side’s supporters disrupted play by setting off smoke bombs on two occasions on November 23, with the referee even thinking about cancelling the encounter.
European football’s governing body UEFA have started a disciplinary case against Zenit, with the ruling to be announced on December 9.
“Now it is impossible to predict how severe the sanctions against Zenit will be,” a source in UEFA’s press service told RIA Novosti news agency. “The Disciplinary Committee will be guided by the relevant clauses of the UEFA’s disciplinary regulations in making their decision.”
The punishment may vary from a huge fine to disqualification from European football till the end of the 2011/12 season.
It’s worth noting that UEFA have been keeping a close eye on Zenit after racist outbursts from the Russian team’s fans during UEFA Cup matches against Marseille back in 2008.
Zenit currently sit second in their Champions League Group G with one game still to play. The St Pete side need at least a draw at Porto on the final matchday to progress to the knockout stages of Europe’s top club competition.