Steaua fined, given stadium ban

Romania's Steaua Bucharest were given a record fine yesterday and banned from playing their next three home matches in the capital because of fan violence during league games.

"Steaua must pay 15,000 euros as a fine for its supporters' violent behaviour during the last two league matches in 2006," a Romanian Soccer Federation (FRF) spokesman said.

"The club was also ordered to play its next three home league matches more than 150km from Bucharest."

One of the games will be against arch-rivals and league leaders Dinamo Bucharest. The league resumes on February 24.

Steaua fans threw stones and mobile phones on to the pitch before clashing with visiting supporters of Politehnica Timisoara and Pol. Iasi.

Steaua said they would appeal against the decision. The FRF spokesman said Universitatea Craiova had also been fined 8,800 euros and banned from playing in their own stadium for the next two home matches for similar reasons.

National team captain Cristian Chivu, who plays for Roma, has said that Romanian football must crack down on its own violent supporters to avoid a repeat of the scenes which shocked Italian soccer on Friday.