Hooliganism ruins Partizan ambitions

Fan violence has put paid to Partizan Belgrade's hopes of making an impact in this season's UEFA Cup after they were thrown out of European competition for a year and fined 50,000 Swiss francs ($41,600) on Thursday.

UEFA took the most drastic action against a Serbian club yet after serious crowd trouble during their first qualifying round first-leg match at Bosnian rivals Zrinjski Mostar last week.

Although Partizan's top officials had hoped they would get away with a hefty fine, they acknowledged that European soccer's governing body had no choice but to take stronger action.

"The Mostar riot was the final straw and should be a warning to everyone in the club that UEFA rules must be complied with," the club's general secretary Zarko Zecevic told reporters.

"It is the biggest blow to Partizan in our 62-year history and shows that those who can't abide by European rules have no place in Europe," he said.

Like his deputy Gordan Petric, Zecevic referred to the fact that Partizan had been punished in 25 of their last 36 European matches over the past five years.

"We really left the UEFA Disciplinary Committee no room for leniency," Petric said in the club's first reaction after learning their fate. He said it was unlikely they would appeal against the verdict.

The setback came as Partizan appeared to have weathered a torrid two-year spell marred by a fan boycott, financial problems and poor results.

A rebuilt side impressed in a 6-1 rout of Zrinjski but problems started on the terraces as 36 people were injured after rival fans clashed with riot police and with each other.

"This is hard for the players, especially the young ones who need all the international experience they can get but we have to be strong now and move on," coach Miroslav Djukic said.

"We have to make sure it doesn't affect their careers but it does leave a bitter taste."