Galatasaray and Red Star Belgrade have been handed crowd bans after a Serb fan was stabbed to death in violence last month ahead of their Euroleague basketball match in Istanbul, Europe’s elite club competition said yesterday.

Galatasaray, who won the match 110-103 in double overtime in their Abdi Ikpeci Arena, will play the next three home games behind closed doors and were fined 100,000 euros.

Red Star, whose 25-year old fan Marko Ivkovic died in the fighting, will serve a one-match ban and must pay a fine of 50,000 euros.

The trouble in Istanbul erupted after several hundred visiting Red Star fans arrived in front of the venue and were banned from entering.

Rival fans clashed before and after Turkish police moved in with tear gas to quell the violence and Ivkovic died in hospital after doctors battled to save his life.

Red Star president Nebojsa Covic was furious and said the Serbian side would appeal.

“We will certainly appeal this shameful verdict because I haven’t seen bigger stupidity or injustice in my entire life,” Covic said.

“I have no problem with playing against Galatasaray again and can’t wait to visit Istanbul if it happens.

“I am sure they won’t make the same mistake again and while I would not fear for my safety in Istanbul, I am also sure they would be completely safe in Belgrade.”