UEFA charges Dynamo Kiev on racism, Manchester City for fans booing anthem

UEFA has charged a pair of clubs for bad behavior, although the offenses seem to be on vastly different levels of severity.

The European governing body brought the hammer down on Dynamo Kiev after four black men were attacked by fans in the home section of Olympic Stadium in Kiev, Ukraine on Tuesday in the 0-0 draw against Chelsea. The investigation was mounted after footage shot by anti-discrimination network Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) caught the incident on tape.

“Usually we do not go public with these sort of reports,” said FARE executive director Piara Powar. “But we thought the footage was so serious that it should be shared with the media.”

The case will be judged by the disciplinary committee next Tuesday, October 27 to decide the club’s punishment. Kiev was punished for racism last season as well during a Europa League match against Everton.

Meanwhile, on a much smaller and somewhat ridiculous scale, Manchester City was charged after fans booed the tournament anthem during Wednesday’s Champions League match against Sevilla at the Etihad, which City won 2-1. The official charge was “disruption of competition anthems.”

It’s unclear exactly what fans were booing, although it may have to do with past sanctions due to Financial Fair Play rules, or it could be related to the FIFA corruption scandals, with UEFA president Michel Platini caught in the whirlwind.

The Manchester City case will be heard by UEFA’s disciplinary committee on November 19.